Gracilocyon

Grah-sil-e-sy-on.
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Nisha Yadav

Physicist

Nisha Yadav is a dedicated physicist whose work bridges the gap between physics and paleontology. With a deep interest in the processes that preserve ancient life, she explores how physical principles govern fossilization and the preservation of extinct species.

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Name

Gracilocyon ‭(‬Gracile dog‭)‬.

Phonetic

Grah-sil-e-sy-on.

Named By

Classification

Chordata,‭ ‬Mammalia,‭ ‬Carnivora,‭ ‬Miacidae.

Diet

Carnivore.

Species

G.‭ ‬winkleri‭

Size

Unavailable.

Known locations

Belgium‭ ‬-Tienen Formation.‭ ‬USA,‭ ‬Wyoming‭ ‬-‭ ‬Willwood Formation.

Time Period

Ypresian of the Eocene.

Fossil representation

Partial remains of several individuals.

In Depth

       Originally described as a species of Miacis,‭ ‬M.‭ ‬winkleri,‭ ‬the species was split from Miacis and re-established as a distinct genus called Gracilocyon in‭ ‬2010.‭ ‬Another former Miacis species,‭ ‬M.‭ ‬rosei has also been attributed Gracilocyon.‭ ‬Gracilocyon would have still been similar to Miacis in form and size,‭ ‬and would have hunted other animals such as small rodents and perhaps even nesting birds.

Further Reading

-‭ ‬A new genus of‭ “‬miacid‭” ‬carnivoran from the earliest Eocene of Europe and North America.‭ ‬-‭ ‬Acta Palaeontologica Polonica‭ ‬55‭(‬4‭)‬:761-764.‭ ‬-‭ ‬T.‭ ‬Smith‭ & ‬R.‭ ‬Smith‭ ‬-‭ ‬2010.

SPECIES SPOTLIGHT