The Pleistocene-Holocene diversity of unique Otters (Lutrinae) worldwide

[Joseph Fossil]

Reconstruction Image of an Array of Mediterranean Otters by artist Sanciusart, 2020.

Image Source: https://www.deviantart.com/sanciusart/art/An-Array-of-Mediterranean-Otters-862517185

 

As one of a most well-known groups of the mammalian Mustelidae family, Otters (Lutrinae) are relatives of minks found primarily in salt and freshwater. Emerging in the Middle Miocene 12.5-8.8 Million Years ago, there are 13 currently known species alive today, of which 2 are entirely adapted to life exclusively in saltwater.

 

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2276185/

 

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC7271888/

 

However, Lutrinae diversity was far higher globally during the Pliocene-Early Holocene than in the present. This diversity peaked during the late Pleistocene, with at least 5 species found only in Mediterranean. Even species still alive today were not only around by this time but coexisted with these unique Pleistocene-Holocene otter species. For others, these Pleistocene-Holocene unique otters were the direct ancestors of several modern otter species.

 

By the beginning of the Holocene, this diversity dropped dramatically due to Human overexploitation and climate change that occurred between the Pleistocene and Holocene. Modern Otter diversity has also declined in more recent times due to continued overhunting which especially plagued North American Otters during the California “Fur” Rush of the 1700s-early 1900s and the effects of Human induced Climate Change since the Industrial Revolution. Both still plague many Otter species today. It is only because of global Conservation efforts that some of the most endangered Otter species today have a fighting chance at survival.

 

Here's a list of all the currently known unique Otter (Lutrinae) genera and species of the late Pleistocene-Early (to part late) Holocene (2.58-0.012 Million Years ago) which can hopefully demonstrate the diversity of these magnificent animals during this time. Let me know if I forgot any examples.

 

 

Europe

 

Sardinia-Corsica

Megalenhydris barbaricina (Lutrinae) (late Pleistocene-early Holocene, 2.588-0.0117 Million Years ago) (grew up to 2.5 meters (8.2 feet) in length) 

 

Sardolutra ichnusae (Lutrinae) (late Pleistocene-early Holocene, 2.588-0.0117 Million Years ago) (grew up to 1 meter (3.3 feet) in length)

 

Algarolutra majori (Lutrinae) (late Pleistocene-early Holocene, 2.588-0.0117 Million Years ago) (grew up to 1 meter (3.3 feet) in length)

 

Lutra castiglionis (Lutrinae) (Pleistocene, 0.774-0.129 Million Years ago) (grew up to 1 meter (3.3 feet) in length)

 

Sicily 

Lutraeximia trinacriae (Lutrinae) (late Pleistocene-early Holocene, 2.588-0.0117 Million Years ago) (grew up to 1 meter (3.3 feet) in length)

 

Malta

Nesolutra euxena (Lutrinae) (late Pleistocene-early Holocene, 2.588-0.0117 Million Years ago) (grew up to 1 meter (3.3 feet) in length)

 

Crete

Lutrogale cretensis (Lutrinae) (late Pleistocene-early Holocene, 0.129-0.0117 Million Years ago) (grew up to 1 meter (3.3 feet) in length)
 

 

Mainland Europe

Lutra simplicidens (Lutrinae) (Pleistocene, 0.774 - 0.129 Million Years ago) (grew up to 1 meter (3.3 feet) in length)
https://paleobiodb.org/classic/basicCollectionSearch?collection_no=36206&is_real_user=1

 

Lutra bressana (Lutrinae) (late Pleistocene-early Holocene, 2.588-0.0117 Million Years ago) (grew up to 1 meter (3.3 feet) in length)

 

Cyrnaonyx antiqua (Lutrinae) (Pleistocene, 0.774 - 0.129 Million Years ago) (grew up to 1 meter (3.3 feet) in length)
 

 

Great Britain

Enhydra reevei (Lutrinae) (late Pliocene-early Holocene, 3.6-0.781 Million Years ago) (grew up to 1.2-1.5 meters (3.93-4.92 feet) in length)
https://paleobiodb.org/classic/basicCollectionSearch?collection_no=166097&is_real_user=1

 

 

Asia

 

Indonesia 

Lutrogale palaeoleptonyx (Lutrinae) (late Pleistocene-early Holocene, 2.588-0.781 Million Years ago) (grew up to 1 meter (3.3 feet) in length)
https://paleobiodb.org/classic/basicCollectionSearch?collection_no=93522&is_real_user=1

https://www.science.smith.edu/departments/Biology/VHAYSSEN/msi/pdf/i1545-1410-786-1-1.pdf

 

 

North America

 

Mainland North America

Satherium piscinarium (Lutrinae) (late Pliocene-early Holocene, 5.3-0.3 Million Years ago) 
(grew up to 1.8 meters (5.90 feet) in length)
https://paleobiodb.org/classic/basicCollectionSearch?collection_no=20308&is_real_user=1

 

Enhydra macrodonta (Lutrinae) (late Pleistocene-early Holocene, 1.8-0.012 Million Years ago) (grew up to 1.2-1.5 meters (3.93-4.92 feet) in length)

https://paleobiodb.org/classic/basicCollectionSearch?collection_no=84881&is_real_user=1

 

 

South America

 

Mainland South America

Unnamed Pteronura sp. (Lutrinae) (late Pleistocene-early Holocene, 0.129-0.0117 Million Years ago) (grew up to 1.8 meters (5.90 feet) in length)

 

(Note: The report describing the Unnamed Argentina Pteronura sp. fossil specimens describes them as belonging to the Pleistocene individual of the still extant species Pteronura brasiliensis, but the reports details about the larger size of the remains compared to the current known size range of Pteronura brasiliensis and unique features in the Argentina specimens skull points to the likely possibility that the Argentina specimen is from a new unnamed Pteronura sp.)

https://ri.conicet.gov.ar/bitstream/handle/11336/80190/CONICET_Digital_Nro.c78ed830-e93e-4ecc-b379-84e1d32b96ac_A.pdf?sequence=2&isAllowed=y

 

 

Hope you all find this helpful!!!