Viranta, S. 1996: European Miocene Amphicyonidae – taxonomy, systematics and ecology. — Acta Zool. Fennica 204.

Taxonomy, systematics and paleoecology of the Amphicyonidae (Mammalia, Carnivora) in the European Miocene was studied. The positions of Pseudarctos sp. and Ictiocyon sp. within the Amphicyonidae are questioned. Taxonomies of genera Amphicyon and Pseudocyon are revised, and a new genus, Euroamphicyon, is erected. Body-mass estimates and feeding ecologies of all the species are reconstructed. The family became extinct in Europe by about 8 Ma, although the main phase of the extinction took place in the Mid-Vallesian crisis, about 10.5 Ma. Changes in the structure of large mammalian community are revealed as the probable reasons for the amphicyonid extinction. It is suggested that reduced diversity of ungulates caused intensified competition in the carnivore community, and that amphicyonids were outcompeted by more specialized members of the community.