Hyainailouridae

Hyainailouridae
Temporal range: Middle Eocene to Late Miocene (Suspected Early Eocene origin, unconfirmed by fossils yet)
Megistotherium osteothlastes life restoration
Apterodon macrognathus life restoration
Scientific classification
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Class: Mammalia
Order: Hyaenodonta
Superfamily: Hyainailouroidea
Family: Hyainailouridae
Pilgrim, 1932
Type genus
Hyainailouros
(polyphyletic genus)
Biedermann, 1863
Subfamilies
Synonyms
list of synonyms:
  • Hyaenaelurinae (Pilgrim, 1932)
  • Hyainailourindae (Solé, 2015)
  • Pterodontidae (Polly, 1996)
  • Pterodontinae (Polly, 1996)

Hyainailouridae ("hyena-like cats") is a paraphyletic family of extinct predatory mammals within the polyphyletic superfamily Hyainailouroidea within extinct order Hyaenodonta. Fossil records show hyainailourids arose during the Middle Eocene, although Early Eocene origin is suspected, the family persisted into the Late Miocene. Fossils of this group have been found in Eurasia, Africa, and North America.