Metatomarctus is an extinct genus of the Borophaginae subfamily of canids native to North America. It lived during the Early to Middle Miocene, 23–16 Mya, existing for approximately 7 million years[1] It was an intermediate-size canid, and more predaceous than earlier borophagines.[2]
Metatomarctus Temporal range: | |
---|---|
Scientific classification | |
Domain: | Eukaryota |
Kingdom: | Animalia |
Phylum: | Chordata |
Class: | Mammalia |
Order: | Carnivora |
Family: | Canidae |
Subfamily: | †Borophaginae |
Tribe: | †Borophagini |
Genus: | †Metatomarctus Wang et al., 1999 |
Species: | †M. canavus |
Binomial name | |
†Metatomarctus canavus (Simpson, 1932) | |
It hunted in packs,[citation needed] like modern canines, and may have preyed upon creatures such as Equus, rodents, and other smaller prey.[citation needed]
Fossil distribution
- Thomas Farm Site, Gilchrist County, Florida, estimated age ~23.3—16.3 Mya.[3]
- Pollack Farm Site, Kent County, Delaware.
- Hackberry Wash, San Bernardino County, California.
- Rattlesnake Hills, Fremont County, Wyoming.
- High Rock Canyon aka UCMP V-110, Humboldt County, Nevada.
- Ahren's Prospect, Elder Ridge, and Pebble Creek, Runningwater Formation, Dawes County, Nebraska.[4]
- Other fossil locations: Maryland, Wyoming, New Mexico, western Nebraska.[1]
References
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