Cladosictis

{{Short description|Extinct genus of South American metatherian mammals}}

{{Automatic Taxobox

| fossil_range = Early-Mid Miocene (Colhuehuapian-Friasian)
~{{fossil range|21.0|15.5}}

| image = Cladosictis lustrata.jpg

| image_caption = A lower jaw fragment of Cladosictis lustratus

| taxon = Cladosictis

| authority = Ameghino 1887

| subdivision_ranks = Species

| subdivision =

C. centralis {{small|Ameghino 1902}}
C. defossa {{small|(Ameghino 1887)}}
C. patagonica {{small|Ameghino 1887}}

| synonyms =

Agustylus {{small|Ameghino 1887}}
Anatherium {{small|Ameghino 1887}}
Hathliacynus {{small|Ameghino 1887}}
Ictioborus {{small|Ameghino 1891}}

}}

Cladosictis (meaning "branch weasel") is an extinct genus of South American metatherian from Patagonia, Argentina (Chichinales, Cerro Bandera, Sarmiento and Santa Cruz Formations) and Chile (Río Frias Formation).[https://paleobiodb.org/classic/checkTaxonInfo?taxon_no=40020 Cladosictis] at Fossilworks.org

Description

File:Cladosictis NT.jpg

Cladosictis was a fox-like creature that was around {{convert|80|cm|ft}} long. Cladosictis probably hunted for eggs and small animals in the low undergrowth, using its low posture for cover. With sharp canines and slicing carnassials, Cladosictis's teeth were similar to those of carnivorans, although the groups were unrelated.{{cite book |editor=Palmer, D.|year=1999 |title= The Marshall Illustrated Encyclopedia of Dinosaurs and Prehistoric Animals|publisher= Marshall Editions|location=London|pages= 202–203|isbn= 1-84028-152-9}}