@15 MYA - @ 8 MYA
SPECIES
Metailurus major
Metailurus is a cat closely related to Dinofelis. Large amounts of specimens have been found, and the original species definition was based on a sample from China. Others have been found in Europe, all with about the same dates.
Metailurus, like Dinofelis, had canines between those of modern cats and Saber-tooth cats. Metailurus' upper canines were slightly longer that those of Dinofelis, but still not as long as a true saber-tooth. Metailurus was also like Dinofelis in it's stocky build. Both cats had forelimbs more heavily built that the hind limbs. Metailurus was slightly smaller that Dinofelis; it was more the size of a leopard whereas Dinofelis was between the sizes of a leopard and a lion.
Sources:
1. The Big Cats and Their Fossil Relatives. Alan Turner. Columbia University Press, New York. 1997
Based on it's build, Metailurus probably hunted in forested areas much like Dinofelis. Because of it's slightly smaller size Metailurus may have spent more time in tress like a leopard, where Dinofelis may have spent more time on the ground. Coloring may have been a spotted or striped coat like a tiger or jaguar. Those that lived in Eurasia may have been mountain dwellers, and may therefore had a coat more like a lynx or bobcat.