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Metatomarctus

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Kingdom
  
Animalia

Class
  
Mammalia

Scientific name
  
Psalidocyon canavus

Rank
  
Genus

Subphylum
  
Vertebrata

Family
  
† Borophaginae

Phylum
  
Chordata

Order
  
Carnivoramorpha

Similar
  
Cormocyon, Cynarctoides, Otarocyon, Carpocyon, Osbornodon

Metatomarctus is an extinct genus of Borophaginae and a terrestrial canine which inhabited most of North America during the Early Hemingfordian stage of the Miocene epoch living 23.0—5.3 Mya, existing for approximately 17.7 million years

Contents

Taxonomy

It was first described by Wang in 1999.

These carnivores hunted in packs, like modern canines, and may have preyed upon creatures such as Equus, rodents, and other smaller prey.

Morphology

Fossil specimens of two individuals' body mass were examined by Legendre and Roth. The first specimen was estimated to weigh 11.1 kg (24 lb). The second specimen was estimated to weigh 10.5 kg (23 lb).

Sister genera

Cormocyon, Desmocyon, Euoplocyon, Microtomarctus, Protomarctus, Psalidocyon, and Tephrocyon.

Fossil distribution

  • Thomas Farm Site, Gilchrist County, Florida, estimated age ~23.3—16.3 Mya.
  • Pollack Farm Site, Kent County, Delaware, estimated age ~20.6—16.3 Mya.
  • Hackberry Wash, San Bernardino County, California, estimated age ~20.6—16.3 Mya.
  • Rattlesnake Hills, Fremont County, Wyoming, estimated age ~23.0—5.3 Mya.
  • High Rock Canyon aka UCMP V-110, Humboldt County, Nevada estimated age ~23.0—5.3 Mya.
  • Ahren's Prospect, Elder Ridge, and Pebble Creek, Runningwater Formation, Dawes County, Nebraska, estimated age ~20.6—16.3 Mya.

    • The genus contains one species: M. canavus. Other fossil locations: Maryland, Wyoming, New Mexico, and several in western Nebraska.

    References

    Metatomarctus Wikipedia
    (Text) CC BY-SA