Paraenhydrocyon ("beside Enhydrocyon") is an extinct genus of bone crushing omnivorous early canid which inhabited North America during the Early Miocene, 24.8—20.4 Ma, existing for approximately 5 million years. [1]

The dentition suggests that this animal was a hypercarnivore or mesocarnivore.[2] In addition to its retention of several primitive cranial characters, this includes unique sharp-tipped, slender premolars that clearly contrast with the strong premolars of the MesocyonEnhydrocyon group, but also parallels that clade by having a reduced metaconid cusp on the lower molars.[citation needed]

References

  1. ^ [1] Paraenhydrocyon at fossilworks
  2. ^ R. M. Nowak. 1991. Walker's Mammals of the World. Maryland, Johns Hopkins University Press (edited volume) II


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