A partial mitochondrial genome from one Smilodon populator specimen places the sampled lineage with Homotherium in a well-supported machairodont clade within Felidae, distinct from sampled living felid lineages; one Smilodon sample and mitochondrial inheritance limit broader species-level inference. This navigation entry is not a phylogeny or a complete taxon dossier.
Represented range0.012–0.01 Ma
Content packagecarnivora
PBDBtxn:41079
Evidence boundary
Automated checks cover structure, identifiers, translations and links only; maintainer and external expert review are not complete.
Claim ledger
topology · medium
A partial mitochondrial genome from one Smilodon populator specimen places the sampled lineage with Homotherium in a well-supported machairodont clade within Felidae, distinct from sampled living felid lineages; one Smilodon sample and mitochondrial inheritance limit broader species-level inference.
claim:taxon:smilodon:topologyfossil-range · medium
Smilodon is displayed at 0.012–0.01 Ma only as the dated ancient-DNA specimen window, not the full genus range. The interval is a source-bounded sample window, not a global FAD, LAD, divergence date, continuous occupancy claim or direct-ancestor assertion.
claim:taxon:smilodon:source-bounded-range-rc49
Known limits
A missing branch or fossil occurrence does not imply biological absence. Internal nodes are not calibrated divergence estimates.
References
Evolutionary History of Saber-Toothed Cats Based on Ancient MitogenomicsPaijmans, J.L.A.; Barnett, R.; Gilbert, M.T.P.; Zepeda-Mendoza, M.L.; Reumer, J.W.F.; de Vos, J.; Zazula, G.; Nagel, D.; Baryshnikov, G.F.; Leonard, J.A.; Rohland, N.; Westbury, M.V.; Barlow, A.; Hofreiter, M. · 2017 · DOI 10.1016/j.cub.2017.09.033