Parahyaena | |
---|---|
![]() | |
Brown hyena ( Parahyaena brunnea ) | |
Scientific classification ![]() | |
Kingdom: | Animalia |
Phylum: | Chordata |
Class: | Mammalia |
Order: | Carnivora |
Suborder: | Feliformia |
Family: | Hyaenidae |
Subfamily: | Hyaeninae |
Genus: | Parahyaena Hendey, 1974 |
Type species | |
Hyaena brunnea Thunberg, 1820 | |
Species | |
|
Parahyaena is a genus of hyenas that contains the extant brown hyena (Parahyaena brunnea). Parahyaena howelli , an early member of this genus, has been dated to approximately 4 million years ago. [1]
Pérez-Claros (2024) argued that Parahyaena and Pachycrocuta were synonymous, and that Pliocrocuta perrieri and " Hyaena " prisca should be included under Pachycrocuta. [1] A later study by Martínez-Navarro et al. (2025) regarded Parahyaena and Pliocrocuta as distinct from Pachycrocuta. [2]
With an estimated population of 8,000 individuals, the current conservation status of the brown hyena is considered near threatened on the IUCN red list. [3] The brown hyaena is mainly threatened by the increase of agriculture in non-protective areas throughout Sub-Saharan Africa. [4]