Kelba quadeemae

Kelba quadeemae is an extinct species of ptolemaiidan mammal, the sole species of the family Kelbidae, known from the Lower Miocene of East Africa.[1] The genus name Kelba derives from the Arabic الكلب (pronounced kalb or kelb) meaning "dog", and the specific name quadeemae from the Arabic quadeem, meaning "ancient".[2] Kelba is only known from a partial skull and teeth, but estimated to have been (around 15 kg), similar in size to a coyote but more heavily built. The teeth are rather unspecialized, suggesting a wide and varied diet, and show wear suggesting its diet included abrasive material.[1]

Kelba Temporal range: Early Miocene 12.5–22 Ma PreꞒ Ꞓ O S D C P T J K Pg N ↓
Scientific classification
Kingdom:	Animalia
Phylum:	Chordata
Class:	Mammalia
Order:	†Ptolemaiida
Family:	†Kelbidae Cote et al., 2007
Genus:	†Kelba Savage, 1965
Species:	†K. quadeemae
Binomial name
†Kelba quadeemae Savage, 1965

References

1. Cote, S.; Werdelin, L.; Seiffert, E. R.; Barry, J. C. (2007). "Additional material of the enigmatic Early Miocene mammal Kelba and its relationship to the order Ptolemaiida". Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences. 104 (13): 5510–5515. doi:10.1073/pnas.0700441104. PMC 1838468. PMID 17372202.
2. Savage, R. J. G. "Fossil mammals of Africa: 19, The Miocene Carnivora of East Africa". Bulletin of the British Museum (Natural History), Geology. 10: 239–316.