Sinonyx fossil map
Where fossils of Sinonyx have been found, shown on the Earth as it looked about 56 million years ago and on today’s map.
Dots are fossil collections recorded in the Paleobiology Database. The “then” view moves today’s fossil sites back to their positions 56 million years ago (the time slice nearest the median age of the fossils) using the Merdith et al. (2021) plate model; positions are approximate. Open on the timeline map →
| Group | Early mammals |
|---|---|
| Lived | 60.9–56 million years ago (Selandian to Thanetian) |
| Periods | Paleogene |
| Family | Mesonychidae |
| Named by | Zhou et al. 1995 |
| Fossil records | 4 occurrences at 2 locations (PBDB) |
| Found in | China, United States |
| Rock formations | Tujinshan, Fort Union |
About Sinonyx
Sinonyx ("Chinese claw") is a genus of extinct, superficially wolf-like mesonychid mammals from the late Paleocene of China (about 56 million years ago). It is within the family Mesonychidae, and cladistic analysis of a skull of Sinonyx jiashanensis identifies its closest relative as Ankalagon. S. jiashanensis was discovered in Anhui province, China (30.9°N 120.9°E / 30.9; 120.9, paleocoordinates 33.9°N 113.6°E / 33.9; 113.6), in the Tuijinshan formation.
Text in “About” is quoted from the Wikipedia article Sinonyx (revision 1368552045), licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0; introduction excerpted verbatim, formatting removed. Ages, family, authority and fossil records: Paleobiology Database, accessed 23 October 2026. Ages are those of the rock layers the fossils were found in. Wikidata: Q2041176.
