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Ekorus ekakeran
''Ekorus ekakeran'' is a large extinct mustelid that inhabited late Miocene Kenya.〔Howell F. C. & García N. 2007. — Carnivora (Mammalia) from Lemudong’o (late Miocene: Narok District, Kenya). ''Kirtlandia'' 56: 121-139.〕
Standing 60 centimeters tall at the shoulders, its build was not similar to that of modern mustelids. Modern-day weasels have short legs and can only achieve short bursts of speed. The legs of ''Ekorus'' are built like those of leopards.〔Werdelin L. 2003. — Mio-Pliocene Carnivora from Lothagam, Kenya, in Leakey M. G. & Harris J. D. (eds), ''Lothagam: Dawn of Humanity in Eastern Africa''. Columbia University Press, New York: 261-328.〕 It appears that before Africa's big cats ruled the savannas, the giant mustelid ''Ekorus'' chased down its prey, such as the three-toed horse ''Eurygnathohippus'' and the large pig ''Nyanzachoerus''. The reason for this evolution may be related to the Great Rift Valley. Before the rift opened, Kenya was more forested.〔Werdelin L. & Simpson S. W. 2009. — The last amphicyonid (Mammalia, Carnivora) in Africa. ''Geodiversitas'' 31 (4) : 775-787.〕 Eventually as moisture was drawn from the forests by the highlands, the forests opened up into grasslands. The swifter creatures built for open terrain prospered, while the slower forest species perished.
Fossils of large Miocene mustelids have also been discovered in North America and Asia.
==References==
抄文引用元・出典: フリー百科事典『 ウィキペディア（Wikipedia）』
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