Kelba quadeemae

Kelba Temporal range: Early Miocene 12.5–22 Ma PreЄ Є O S D C P T J K Pg N ↓
Scientific classification
Kingdom:	Animalia
Phylum:	Chordata
Class:	Mammalia
(unranked):	Afrotheria
Order:	† Ptolemaiida
Family:	Kelbidae Cote et al., 2007
Genus:	Kelba Savage, 1965
Binomial name
Kelba quadeemae Savage, 1965

Kelba quadeemae is an extinct species of ptolemaiidan mammal, the sole species of the family Kelbidae, known from the Lower Miocene of East Africa. The genus name Kelba derives from the Arabic الكلب (pronounced kalb or kelb) meaning "dog", and the specific name quadeemae from the Arabic quadeem, meaning "ancient". Kelba is only known from a partial skull and teeth, but estimated to have been (around 15 kg), similar in size to a coyote but more heavily built. The teeth are rather unspecialized, suggesting a wide and varied diet, and show wear suggesting its diet included abrasive material.