The giant hyena <i>Pachycrocuta brevirostris</i> (Carnivora, Hyaenidae) from the Early Pleistocene of Central Asia (Zasukhino-3 and Nalaikha), with insights on the dental evolution of crocutoid hyenas
Journal: Quaternary Research
Year: 2025

Abstract Mandibular and dental material of hyaenids from the Central Asian localities of Zasukhino-3 (Russia) and Nalaikha (Mongolia), dating to the late Early Pleistocene (0.9–0.78 Ma) was identified as giant hyena Pachycrocuta brevirostris based on morphological and size similarities. Comparative analysis of Eurasian P. brevirostris from different stratigraphic levels (from 2.1 to 0.5 Ma) revealed two evolutionary stages of the lower cheek teeth of the giant hyenas. The stages are determined a