The Other Saber-tooths: Scimitar-tooth Cats of the Western Hemisphere

by Virginia L. Naples (Editor), Larry D. Martin (Editor), John P. Babiarz (Editor)

Overview

Like the better-known Smilodon, or saber-tooth cat, the scimitar-tooth cats of the New World were fierce predators that killed and consumed the largest of North America's species. This volume synthesizes all currently known information about the scimitar-tooths.

Scimitar-tooth cats had serrated teeth that were shorter and stouter than those of Smilodon. Using a mix of new research and previously published accounts, the contributors examine all aspects of the natural history of these extinct cats. They reconstruct what scimitar-tooth cats might have looked like, discuss how they captured and killed prey, and describe their worldwide distribution and how they interacted with other, non-prey animals. Highly detailed descriptions reveal the biology of these cats, provide bone-by-bone comparisons of them to Smilodon and other cat-like carnivores, explain how they originated, and set them in an evolutionary context.

Richly illustrated and featuring the latest information on scimitar-tooth cats of the New World, The Other Saber-tooths is an engaging and comprehensive collection of information about these fascinating felines that will appeal to paleontologists and anyone else interested in the prehistoric world.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780801896644
Publisher:	Johns Hopkins University Press
Publication date:	09/01/2011
Pages:	252
Product dimensions:	9.20(w) x 11.00(h) x 0.70(d)
Age Range:	18 Years

About the Author

Virginia L. Naples is a professor of biology at Northern Illinois University, DeKalb.

Larry D. Martin is a professor of ecology and evolutionary biology and the senior curator of vertebrate paleontology at the University of Kansas.

John P. Babiarz is the president of the Babiarz Institute of Paleontological Studies.

Table of Contents

List of Contributors
Preface
Acknowledgments
Chapter 1. Introduction
Chapter 2. Experimental Paleontology of the Scimitar-tooth and Dirk-tooth Killing Bites
Chapter 3. Pathology in Saber-tooth Cats
Chapter 4. The Osteology of a Cookie-cutter Cat, Xenomilus hodsonae
Chapter 5. The Musculature of Xenosmilus, and the Reconstruction of Its Appearance
Chapter 6. Osteology and Myology of Homotherium ischyrus from Idaho
Chapter 7. Revision of the New World Homotheiini
Chapter 8. A Saber-tooth Cat Skull from Tajikistanm Central Asia, and the Relationships between Eurasian and North American Homotheres
Chapter 9. A Frameworth for the North American Homotheriini
Appendix A
Appendix B
Glossary
Literature Cited
Index

Editorial Reviews

Beautifully illustrated . . . and featuring the latest information on scimitar-tooth cats of the New World, The Other Saber-tooths is an interesting and comprehensive collection of information about these fascinating felines that will appeal to paleontologists and everyone else interested in the prehistoric world.
—Mike Fredericks, Prehistoric Times

This pairs fine drawings with the latest information in a college-level collection suitable for any paleontological collection.
—Midwest Book Review

A valuable contribution to the study of paleontology and comparative anatomy and an important addition to the literature on saber-toothed cats. Highly recommended.
—Choice

A very interesting read for those who are even remotely interested in the saber-tooth cats of North America . . . shows attention to both detail and quality of work.
—Cynthia D. Crane-Muston, Priscum

Succeeds in its aspirations and will become a must-have for professional and avocational paleontologists alike.
—Xiaoming Wang, Journal of Vertebrate Paleontology

A must-read for all saber-tooth researchers and educated readers interested in these awe-inspiring predators.
—Francois Therrien, Quarterly Review of Biology

The Other Saber-tooths is, without a doubt, the authoritative work on homotheriins in North America . . . [It] will be an invaluable tool for researchers interested in ecological, phylogenetic, and related questions regarding the paleobiology of the machairodontine felids. As such, this book is indispensable for anyone with an interest in fossil carnivorans, and would make a valuable addition to the library of anyone studying Cenozoic mammals.
—John D. Orcutt, Journal of Mammalian Evolution

From the Publisher

A very interesting read for those who are even remotely interested in the saber-tooth cats of North America . . . shows attention to both detail and quality of work.

Priscum - Cynthia D. Crane-Muston

Succeeds in its aspirations and will become a must-have for professional and avocational paleontologists alike.

Journal of Vertebrate Paleontology - Xiaoming Wang

This pairs fine drawings with the latest information in a college-level collection suitable for any paleontological collection.

Midwest Book Review

A must-read for all saber-tooth researchers and educated readers interested in these awe-inspiring predators.

Quarterly Review of Biology - Francois Therrien

Beautifully illustrated . . . and featuring the latest information on scimitar-tooth cats of the New World, The Other Saber-tooths is an interesting and comprehensive collection of information about these fascinating felines that will appeal to paleontologists and everyone else interested in the prehistoric world.

Prehistoric Times - Mike Fredericks

The Other Saber-tooths is, without a doubt, the authoritative work on homotheriins in North America . . . [It] will be an invaluable tool for researchers interested in ecological, phylogenetic, and related questions regarding the paleobiology of the machairodontine felids. As such, this book is indispensable for anyone with an interest in fossil carnivorans, and would make a valuable addition to the library of anyone studying Cenozoic mammals.

Journal of Mammalian Evolution - John D. Orcutt

A valuable contribution to the study of paleontology and comparative anatomy and an important addition to the literature on saber-toothed cats. Highly recommended.

Choice

A must-read for all saber-tooth researchers and educated readers interested in these awe-inspiring predators.

— Francois Therrien

Quarterly Review of Biology

Succeeds in its aspirations and will become a must-have for professional and avocational paleontologists alike.

— Xiaoming Wang

Journal of Vertebrate Paleontology

A very interesting read for those who are even remotely interested in the saber-tooth cats of North America... shows attention to both detail and quality of work.

— Cynthia D. Crane-Muston

Priscum

Beautifully illustrated... and featuring the latest information on scimitar-tooth cats of the New World, The Other Saber-tooths is an interesting and comprehensive collection of information about these fascinating felines that will appeal to paleontologists and everyone else interested in the prehistoric world.

— Mike Fredericks

Prehistoric Times