Phylum Chordata Order Carnivores | Rank Genus | |
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Similar Archaeocyon, Cynarctoides, Cormocyon, Osbornodon, Enhydrocyon | ||
Otarocyon ("large eared dog") is an extinct genus of the family Borophaginae ("bone-crushing dog"). It was a terrestrial canine which was small in size endemic to North America during the Orellan and Geringian stages of the Oligocene epoch, about 33.3—20.6 Ma (million years ago).
Contents
Taxonomy
Otarocyon was a small borophagine characterized by a short, broad skull, a specialized middle ear, simple, tall premolar teeth, and molars that are incipiently adapted to a hypocarnivore diet. Despite its Oligocene age, the skull of Otarocyon shows several striking similarities to the living fennec fox (Vulpes zerda), particularly in the structure of its middle ear. The similarities are probably convergent, but they suggest that Otarocyon may have been similar in its appearance and habits.
Morphology
Fossil specimens of two individuals' body mass were examined by Legendre and Roth.
Species
In addition to its earlier age, O. macdonaldi differs from O. cooki in being smaller and in showing lesser development of the specializations that characterize the genus. O. macdonaldi is also the earliest known member of the subfamily Borophaginae, although the later appearing Archaeocyon was more primitive.
Sister genera
Archaeocyon, Oxetocyon and Rhizocyon.