Late Hemphillian Cat (Mammalia, Felidae) from the Bone Valley Formation of Central Florida

Dental and postcranial remains of a lynx-like cat are described from the latest Hemphillian Upper Bone Valley Formation of the central Florida phosphate mining district. This cat is referred to the species Felis rexroadensis based on numerous dental characters and size. The Bone Valley F. rexroadensis was larger than the present-day bobcat and smaller than the present-day puma. Forelimb functional anatomy, particularly in the degree of mediolateral rotation of the elbow joint, suggest that the Bone Valley F. rexroadensis was forest-adapted. This occurrence represents the oldest-known Felis in Florida and it adds to the poorly known fossil record of early Felis in North America.