Magerifelis (meaning Madrid cat) is an extinct genus of feline that lived in Middle Miocene of Spain. The type species is Magerifelis peignei.
Discovery and Naming[]
The holotype (05/101/2/3622) was discovered in 2007 from the Príncipe Pío-2 locality in Madrid, Spain. It was named in 2025 in Museo Nacional de Ciencias Naturales by a group of scientists. Six other materials from France that have been assigned to Styriofelis were reassigned to this genus. The generic name combines the original name for Madrid and Felis, meaning cat, while the specific name is named after the French paleontologist Stéphane Peigné, a deceased friend of the describing authors.
Description[]
All of the fossils are hemimandibles, which means with or without teeth intact. The species was described as having a relatively small lower canine tooth, with no or severely reduced premolar, third and fourth premolars present, etc.
Classification[]
It is classified as a member of Felinae inside of the family Felidae.
Paleobiology[]
Based on the holotype, it was estimated to weigh about 7.61 killograms, but research suggests it could have been bigger.
Paleoecology[]
It ate small rodents, birds, mustelids, and small ungulates such as Cainotherium.
Gallery[]
