perturbípus

Perturbipus is a genus of extinct short-faced bears that lived during the Late Miocene and Pliocene epochs of the Cenozoic Era. The name perturbipus is derived from the Latin words 'perturbo', meaning 'disturb' or 'interrupt', and 'os', meaning 'jaw' or 'face', likely referring to the bear's distinctive flat face.

Fossils of perturbipus have been found in several regions of Europe and North America, including the United Kingdom, France, and North Dakota in the United States. The most well-known species of perturbipus is P. teres, which was first described in 1979. This species was characterized by its flat face, short muzzle, and robust skull.

Perturbipus is considered to be a short-faced bear due to its distinctive facial structure. Short-faced bears, also known as Hemicyoninae, are a subfamily of omnivorous ursids that evolved during the Miocene epoch. They were characterized by their flat faces, short muzzles, and robust skulls, which were well adapted for a diet that consisted of both plants and animals.

The discovery of perturbipus fossils has provided valuable insights into the evolution of short-faced bears during the Miocene and Pliocene epochs. Studies of perturbipus morphology and distribution have also helped scientists to better understand the environmental and ecological conditions of these ancient ecosystems.

Overall, perturbipus is an important representative of the extinct subfamily of short-faced bears, offering a glimpse into the evolution and diversity of ursids during the Cenozoic Era.