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American Museum of Natural History studies extinct weasel relative - NYSERNet

Written by Christy Rohmer | Mar 20, 2019 4:00:00 AM

The American Museum of Natural History recently conducted new research on an extinct weasel relative called Leptarctus primus. The Leptarctus primus has always intrigued researchers because of its unusually-shaped head, which has led to conflicting theories about its diet and feeding activity.  The new study of its oddly-shaped skull finds that it is most similar to an American Badger, and shows that it was likely a carnivorous predator. The team compared a fossil skull with 18 species of modern carnivorans using CT scans of the skulls and virtual modeling of feeding mechanisms.

The American Museum of Natural History is a NYSERNet member. Read more about the study here: https://www.amnh.org/about-the-museum/press-center/extinct-weasel-relative-ate-meat-with-side-of-veggies