Cynodesmus
Extinct genus of carnivores / From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Not to be confused with Cynodictis.
Cynodesmus ("dog link") is an extinct genus of omnivorous canine which inhabited North America during the Oligocene living from 33.3—-26.3 Ma and existed for approximately 7 million years. [1]
Quick Facts Scientific classification, Type species ...
Cynodesmus | |
---|---|
Scientific classification | |
Domain: | Eukaryota |
Kingdom: | Animalia |
Phylum: | Chordata |
Class: | Mammalia |
Order: | Carnivora |
Family: | Canidae |
Subfamily: | †Hesperocyoninae |
Genus: | †Cynodesmus Scott, 1893 |
Type species | |
†Cynodesmus thooides | |
Species | |
|
Close
Cynodesmus was one of the first canids to truly look dog-like. At around 1 metre (3.3 ft) in length, it was about the same size as a modern coyote, but had a shorter skull, heavier tail, and longer rump. The shape of its limbs suggests that Cynodesmus was not a very good runner compared to most other canids; it probably attacked prey from an ambush. Unlike modern dogs, it had five toes on each foot, bearing partially retractable claws.[2]