Panthera atrox (Leidy, 1853)
American lion
Taxonomy & Nomenclature
Synonym/s: Felis atrox Leidy, 1853 (original combination); Felis imperialis Leidy, 1853; Felis atrox bebbi Merriam, 1909; Felis atrox alaskensis Frick, 1930; Panthera jaguarius atrox Leidy, 1853; Panthera leo atrox Leidy, 1853
Conservation Status
Extinct
Last record: Late Pleistocene
There have been numerous reports of lions or lion-like animals in America during the 20th century (Coleman, 1971; Bord & Bord, 1989:231-232). And cryptozoologist Loren Coleman has hypothesized that these may refer to surviving individuals of the American lion ([i]Panthera atrox[/i]) (Coleman, 1983:106-116). However, [i]P. atrox[/i] is probably more closely related to the Jaguar ([i]P. onca[/i]) than to the [i]bona fide[/i] Afro-Eurasian lions ([i]P. leo[/i] ssp.).
Distribution
The Americas (North, Central and South America)
Remains of Panthera from South America have been known since the late 19th century, however they were only recognised as belonging to the American 'lion' extremely recently (Chimento & Agnolin, In Press). It may have had reddish skin (Ibid.).
Biology & Ecology
Hypodigm
IHNFG-2678
Media
References
Original scientific description:
Leidy, J. (1853). Description of an extinct species of American lion: Felis atrox. Trans. Amer. Phil. Soc., N.S., 10: 319-321.
Other references:
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