Name:
Lycophocyon
(Twilight dog).
Phonetic: Lie-ko-fo-sy-on.
Named By: S. Tomiya - 2011.
Classification: Chordata, Synapsida, Mammalia,
Carnivora, Caniformia.
Species: L. hutchisoni
(type).
Diet: Carnivore.
Size: Skull about 10.5 centimetres long. Femur
about 13.4 centimetres long. Humerus about 10.5 centimetres
long.
Known locations: USA, California - Santiago
Formation.
Time period: Bartonian to early Priabonian of the
Eocene.
Fossil representation: Partial remains of at least
six individuals.
Lycophocyon is a genus of primitive caniform mammal that lived in western North America during the latter half of the Eocene. Caniform mammals like Lycophocyon are seen as the precursors of the true canids which today include dogs, bears, weasels, martens and even seals.
Further reading
- A new basal caniform (Mammalia: Carnivora) from the middle
Eocene of North America and remarks on the phylogeny of early
carnivorans. - PLoS ONE 6(9):e24146. - S. Tomiya -
2011.