Description

The fossil jaguar differs from the sabertooth cat, Smilodon, in several ways as well. Most obviously, P. onca does not possess the large saber-like upper canines of Smilodon (Figure 4). The canines of the jaguar are rounder and more conical in shape. The coronoid process of the mandible (Figure 3A) is also taller in the jaguar than Smilodon, and the deciduous carnassial teeth of Smilodon and Panthera onca have been compared in some detail, and have been found to be diagnostically different (Kurtén, 1965 ) Fossils of Panthera onca may be differentiated from fossil pumas (Puma concolor) based on characters