Phlaocyonini
Phlaocyonini | |
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Type specimen ofPhlaocyon leucosteus | |
Scientific classification | |
Domain: | Eukaryota |
Kingdom: | Animalia |
Phylum: | Chordata |
Class: | Mammalia |
Order: | Carnivora |
Family: | Canidae |
Subfamily: | †Borophaginae |
Tribe: | †Phlaocyonini Wang, Tedford, & Taylor, 1999 |
Genera | |
Broad range of the clade Phlaocyonini based on fossil record |
Phlaocyonini[1]is anextinctcladeortribeofhypocarnivorousborophagines(bone-crushing dogs). They were endemic toNorth Americaand from theOligoceneepoch (Whitneyanstage) to theMiocene(Early Barstovian) living ~33.3–5.3Ma,existing for approximately28million years.
The clade includesCynarctoidesandPhlaocyon.These two genus members represent differing approaches of hypocarnivory. TheCynarctoidestrend toward havingmolarteeth with crowns formed of crescent-shapedcuspsand remain small in size.Phlaocyonspecialize toward rounded cusps on the molar teeth but of increasing size, with an unusual trend toward beinghypercarnivoresby two terminal species in the clade.
Four transitional species ofCormocyonandDesmocyonoccupy intermediate positions between the Phlaocyonini andCynarctina.These represent a gradual size increase toward medium-size individuals.[2]
Fossil distribution
[edit]A few of many sites:
- Wewela Site,Turtle Butte Formation,Tripp County, South Dakota(Phlaocyonminor) ~30.8–20.6 Ma.
- Brooksville 2 Site,Hernando County, Florida(Phlaocyon taylori) ~26.3–24.8 Ma.
- Split Rock Site,Arikaree Formation,Fremont County, Wyoming,(Cynarctoides) ~20.6–16.3 Ma.
- Cedar Run Site,Oakville Formation,Washington County, Texas(Phlaocyon) ~20.3–5.3 Ma.
- Nambe Site,Tesuque Formation,Santa Fe County, New Mexico,(Cynarctoides acridens) ~20.3–5.3 Ma.