Borophagus dudleyi

Overview

Borophagus dudleyi was originally named Pliogulo dudleyi by T.E. White in 1941. Borophagus dudleyi, like other Borophaginae, are loosely known as "bone-crushing" or "hyena-like" dogs. Though not the most massive borophagine by size or weight, it had a more highly evolved capacity to crunch bone than earlier, larger genera such as Epicyon, which seems to be an evolutionary trend of the group (Turner, 2004). During the Pliocene epoch, Borophagus began being displaced by Canis genera such as Canis edwardii and later by Canis dirus. Early species of Borophagus were placed in the genus Osteoborus until recently, but the genera are now considered synonyms. Borophagus parvus possibly led a hyena-like lifestyle scavenging carcasses of recently dead animals.

Taxonomy

Borophagus dudleyi was recombined as Cynogulo dudleyi by Kretzoi in 1968. It was recombined again as Osteoborus dudleyi by Webb in 1969 and Munthe in 1998. The animal was then synonymized subjectively with Borophagus crassapineatus by Richey in 1979. In 1987, Richard H. Tedford returned its original name and Xiaoming Wang along with Richard H. Tedford and Beryl E. Taylor concurred in a 1999 examination.

Morphology

Typical features of this genus are a bulging forehead and powerful jaws; it was probably a scavenger. Its crushing premolar teeth and strong jaw muscles would have been used to crack open bone, much like the hyena of the Old World. The adult animal is estimated to have been about 80 cm in length, similar to a coyote, although it was much more powerfully built.

Fossil distribution

Borophagus dudleyi fossil specimens are exclusive to a coastal area of North Carolina.

Species

Borophagus diversidens existed for 3.1 million years (synonymous with Felis hillianus, Hyaenognathus matthewi, Hyaenognathus pachyodon, Hyaenognathus solus, Porthocyon dubius)

Borophagus hilli existed for 19.7 million years (synonymous with Osteoborus crassapineatus, Osteoborus progressus)

Borophagus littoralis existed for 13 million years (syn. Osteoborus diabloensis)

Borophagus orc existed for 5.4 million years

Borophagus parvus existed for 6.4 million years

Borophagus pugnator existed for 18 million years (synonymous with Osteoborus galushai)

Borophagus secundus existed for 18 million years (synonymous with Hyaenognathus cyonoides, Hyaenognathus direptor)

Existence based on age of fossil collections and recombination with other species.

Can be found in Florida as well. Not exclusive to North Carolina.

Sister genera

Carpocyon, Epicyon, Paratomarctus and Protepicyon.