Caedocyon
Caedocyon ("fit for cutting dog") is an extinct monospecific genus of bone crushing canid which inhabited western North America during the Oligocene 30.8—20.6 Ma, existing for approximately 10.2 million years. [1]
| Caedocyon Temporal range: Oligocene | |
|---|---|
Scientific classification  | |
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Chordata |
| Class: | Mammalia |
| Order: | Carnivora |
| Family: | Canidae |
| Subfamily: | †Hesperocyoninae |
| Genus: | †Caedocyon Wang, 1994 |
| Species: | †C. tedfordi |
| Binomial name | |
| †Caedocyon tedfordi Wang, 1994 | |
Like other members of the subfamily Hesperocyoninae, Caedocyon is a very primitive or apomorphic canid form, and its evolutionary position is not clear. It is, however, identified by having shortened upper premolars, enlarged caniniform upper third incisors, as well as reduced upper molars. Its simple, high premolars and the precision of its occlusion suggest a relation with Paraenhydrocyon. Known only from a single partial cranium, the dentition suggests the animal was a hypercarnivore or mesocarnivore.
References
- http://fossilworks.org/bridge.pl?action=taxonInfo&taxon_no=41239 Caedocyon at Fossilworks
- Wang, X. 1994. Phylogenetic systematics of the Hesperocyoninae (Carnivora, Canidae). Bulletin of the American Museum of Natural History, 221:1-207.
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