Galecyon
| Galecyon Temporal range: Wasatchian, 55.8–50.3 Ma | |
|---|---|
Scientific classification  | |
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Chordata |
| Clade: | Synapsida |
| Class: | Mammalia |
| Order: | †Creodonta |
| Family: | †Hyaenodontidae |
| Genus: | †Galecyon Gingerich & Deutsch, 1989[1] |
| Type species | |
| Sinopa mordax Matthew, 1915 | |
Galecyon ("polecat dog") is a genus of hyaenodont that lived during the early Eocene.[2] It was endemic to North America. It has been found in the Clarks Fork and Powder River basins of Wyoming.[1]
Description
Galecyon had robust canines and short, deep jaws. Prior to 2015, little was known about its post-cranial skeleton.[1] However, following the discovery of more complete fossils, it is now known to have been a primarily terrestrial animal weighing between 5.2 and 7.9 kg (11 and 17 lb), lacking the adaptations for climbing found in some of its close relatives.[3]
References
- 1 2 3 Gingerich, Philip D.; Deutsch, Harvey A. (1989). "Systematics and evolution of early Eocene Hyaenodontidae (Mammalia, Creodonta) in the Clarks Fork Basin, Wyoming". 27 (13). Museum of Paleontology, University of Michigan: 327–391.
- ↑ PaleoBiology Database: Galecyon, basic info
- ↑ Zack, S. P.; Rose, K. D. (November 2015). "A postcranial skeleton of Galecyon: evidence for morphological and locomotor diversity in early Hyaenodontidae (Mammalia, Hyaenodontida)". Journal of Vertebrate Palaeontology. 35 (6): e1001492. doi:10.1080/02724634.2014.1001492.
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