Protepicyon

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in biology, Protepicyon is an extinct monospecific genus of the Borophaginae subfamily of canids native to North America. It lived during the Barstovian stage of the Middle Miocene 16.0—13.6 mya. One of the top predators of its time, it was the probable ancestor of the better known Epicyon, and is known from remains in California and New Mexico.

It was named by Wang in 1999 and assigned to Borophagina by Wang et al. that same year. The fossil distribution is represented by one find in California.

Scientific classification

Alias:: Protepicyon

Named by and Year:: Wang et al., 1999

Domain:: Eukaryota

Kingdom:: Animalia

Phylum:: Chordate

Subphylum:: Subphylum Vertebrata

Class:: Class Mammalia

Subclass:: Eutheria

Order:: Carnivora

Suborder:: Schizopoda

Family:: Canidae

Subfamily:: Borophaginae

Trlbe:: Borophagini

Subtribes:: Borophagina

Genus:: Protepicyon

Mode Of Reproduction:: Viviparous

Reproductive Form:: Sexual Reproduction

Description

Protepicyon was one of the top predators of its ecosystem and was an ancestor of Epicyon living 16-13.6 million years ago.

Taxonomy

Protepicyon was named by Wang et al. (1999). Its type is Protepicyon raki. It was assigned to Borophagina by Wang et al. (1999).

Morphology

Two specimens were examined by Legendre and Roth for body mass. The first specimen was estimated to weigh 36.4 kg (80 lb). The second specimen was estimated to weigh 32.2 kg (71 lb).