Sabertooth adaptations evolved independently in at least four mammal lineages.

Evidence

Saber-toothed predator forms arose in at least four mammalian lineages, first within two now-extinct carnivore groups, the creodonts (Apataelurus sp.) and nimravids (Barbourofelis fricki), then within the cats (for example, the scimitar-toothed and dirk-toothed cats), and finally, within the marsupials (Thylacosmilus atrox). We associate most living marsupials with Australia, but these pouch-bearing mammals once ranged over much of the world, and Thylacosmilus actually lived in South America. — Emlen, Douglas J, Animal Weapons_ The Evolution of Battle, 80

Categorization

• XREF: connects to: Extreme weapons evolved independently across roughly three thousand species — Emlen, Douglas J, Animal Weapons_ The Evolution of Battle, 15; Darwin’s theory chiefly explains the origin of adaptations, not species — Diego Gambetta, Trust - Making and Breaking Cooperative…, 263

Related

• Darwin’s theory chiefly explains the origin of adaptations, not species (similarity 0.86)
• Sabertooths’ massive canines required body changes that made movement awkward. (similarity 0.80)
• Extreme weapons evolved independently across roughly three thousand species (similarity 0.80)
• Predator diversity is best explained by weapon adaptation to habitat and prey (similarity 0.78)

Broader Connections

• Extreme weapons evolved independently across roughly three thousand species #expands (0.40) — Emlen, Douglas J, Animal Weapons_ The Evolution of Battle, 15