Cynarctoides Temporal range:
| |
---|---|
Cynarctoides lemur fossil, University of California Museum of Paleontology. | |
Scientific classification | |
Domain: | Eukaryota |
Kingdom: | Animalia |
Phylum: | Chordata |
Class: | Mammalia |
Order: | Carnivora |
Family: | Canidae |
Subfamily: | † Borophaginae |
Tribe: | † Phlaocyonini |
Genus: | †
Cynarctoides McGrew, 1938 |
Species [1] | |
See text | |
Range of Cynarctoides based on fossil record |
Cynarctoides is an extinct genus of the Borophaginae subfamily of canids native to North America. It lived from the Early Oligocene to the Middle Miocene, 33.3—13.6 Mya, existing for approximately 19.7 million years. Seven species are currently recognised, all of which are estimated to have weighed no more than 1 kilogram (2.2 lb). They had an unusual dentition that implies an omnivorous, or possibly even herbivorous, diet. [2]
Fossil evidence suggests that C. lemur migrated to the east and southeast over time becoming extinct in the northwest followed by the upper Great Plains and then the southeast.[ citation needed]