New species of Amphicyon (Mammalia, Carnivora) from the Middle Miocene strata of Xin'an, Henan, China

The Amphicyonidae are an extinct group of large carnivorans that appeared during the Late Eocene in North America but thrived during the Miocene epoch in Eurasia. In China, Amphicyon has been recognized with three species; however, all are identified from limited material. A partial cranium discovered from the late Middle Miocene strata of Xin'an, Henan, central China, significantly improves our understanding of Amphicyon in China, Europe, and North America. It suggests the uniquity of this Amphicyon species, namely Amphicyon zhinu sp. nov., which is distinguishably smaller in size and differs in the morphology of its maxillary teeth. Therefore, the presence of these four different species of Amphicyon in North China during the Middle Miocene Climate Optimum verifies the high diversity and suggests an evolutionary divergence. • A new species of Amphicyon is described from the Middle Miocene of Xin'an, Henan, China. • The new taxon ( Amphicyon zhinu sp. nov.) is based on a well-preserved partial cranium with complete maxillary dentition. • Amphicyon zhinu is smaller than other Asian congeners and shows distinctive premolar and molar morphology. • Dental morphology and wear patterns indicate an omnivorous feeding strategy. • The discovery expands the known diversity and southern distribution of Amphicyon in East Asia during the Middle Miocene.