Post by Infinity Blade on Apr 26, 2023 0:29:30 GMT 5
Daphoenodon spp.
Depiction of Daphoenodon by Jay Matternes.
Temporal range: Neogene; Aquitanian to Burdigalian; ~23-17.5 Ma[1]
Scientific classification:
Life
Domain: Eukaryota
(unranked): Unikonta
(unranked): Opisthokonta
(unranked): Holozoa
(unranked): Filozoa
Kingdom: Animalia
Subkingdom: Eumetazoa
(unranked): Bilateria
Clade: Nephrozoa
Superphylum: Deuterostomia
Phylum: Chordata
Clade: Olfactores
Clade: Craniata
Subphylum: Vertebrata
Infraphylum: Gnathostomata
Clade: Eugnathostomata
Clade: Teleostomi
Superclass: Tetrapoda
Clade: Reptiliomorpha
Clade: Amniota
Clade: Synapsida
Clade: Eupelycosauria
Clade: Sphenacodontia
Clade: Sphenacodontoidea
Order: Therapsida
Clade: Eutheriodonta
Suborder: Cynodontia
Clade: Epicynodontia
Infraorder: Eucynodontia
Parvorder: Probainognathia
Superfamily: Chiniquodontoidea
Clade: Prozostrodontia
Clade: Mammaliaformes
Class: Mammalia
Clade: Holotheria
Superlegion: Trechnotheria
Legion: Cladotheria
Sublegion: Zatheria
Infralegion: Tribosphenida
Subclass: Theria
Clade: Eutheria
Infraclass: Placentalia
Subcohort: Exafroplacentalia
Magnorder: Boreoeutheria
Superorder: Laurasiatheria
(unranked): Ferae
(unranked): Carnivoramorpha
Order: Carnivora
Suborder: Caniformia
Family: †Amphicyonidae
Subfamily: †Daphoeninae
Genus: †Daphoenodon
Subgenus: †Daphoenodon
†Borocyon
Species: †D. falkenbachi
†D. notionastes
†D. robustum
†D. skinneri
†D. superbus
†D. niobrarensis
†D. neomexicanus
Daphoenodon (“blood-reeking tooth”) is an extinct genus of carnivoran belonging to the now extinct family Amphicyonidae. It lived in North America from the Aquitanian to the Burdigalian (late Arikareean to early Hemingfordian), roughly ~23 to ~17.5 million years ago. Borocyon (“devouring dog”) is considered a subgenus of Daphoenodon.[1]
Description:
Daphoenodon could be described as superficially dog-like, although exact size and proportions varied within species. The largest species was D. (B.) robustum, with a basilar skull length up to ~304 mm, and body mass ~100 kg based on long bone dimensions (with some males possibly reaching ~150 kg).[1]
D. superbus from the late Arikareean Agate National Monument had normally proportioned limbs. Those species within the subgenus Borocyon formed a derived clade of long-legged cursorial predators, first appearing in the latest Arikareean of New Mexico. D. (B.) niobrarensis from southeastern Wyoming exhibited moderate limb elongation that became even more pronounced in D. (B.) robustum.[1]
Species in the subgenus Borocyon had elongated forelimbs similar in proportions to those of a wolf or cheetah. However, the scapula of Daphoenodon (even in D. superbus, as well as D. (B.) niobrarensis) combined features of both extant ursids and large felids. The top border of the scapula and the relative volume of the supraspinatus and infraspinatus fossae are almost the same as those of modern lions and tigers. One ursid-like feature is a broad teres process. Additionally, the humeral head of D. (B.) niobrarensis exhibits well-defined muscle scars for rotator cuff muscles (supraspinatus, infraspinatus, subscapularis). These features suggest well-developed muscles for stabilizing the shoulder joint.[1]
The shape of the distal humerus became more wolf-like from D. superbus to Borocyon. In Borocyon, the ability to pronate and supinate the forelimb was more restricted than in living felids, though not quite as much as in a wolf. As a result, a cuffing or swatting motion with the paw would have been possible in bringing down prey. The proximal ends of the metacarpals are not particularly close/appressed like they are in a cheetah or canine, and are more splayed out like a lion’s. As a result, the forepaws of D. (B.) niobrarensis & D. (B.) robustum must have resembled the broad paws of big cats, possibly allowing them to strike prey, manipulating food to some extent, and possibly even excavating burrows. The claws are slender, long, and nearly straight like in modern bears.[1]
The proportions of Borocyon’s hindlimbs are not similar to those of canines or cheetahs, and more like those of a lion, and differ little from those of D. superbus and Daphoenus. These hindlimbs would have been capable of a powerful forward thrust like those of cats.[1]
D. (B.) robustum had a short rostrum. It also had a proportionately smaller braincase than in modern big cats and bears; as a result, the sagittal crest was more prominent, allowing for more room for temporal muscles. The mandibular force profile was similar to that of a wolf, but with the symphyseal strength of a hyena. It likely processed hard objects with its postcanine teeth. Also, it likely made quick, shallow, but powerful bites.[1] The mandibular force profile shows its lower jaw was much stronger than any living canid’s, and even the extinct dire wolf’s. Resistance to bending at the canines was also much stronger than in the wolf due to its more strongly buttressed mandibular symphysis.[2]
The overall anatomy of D. (B.) robustum suggest a large (~100-150 kg), formidable predator unlike any living today. It was capable of powerful acceleration (with its cat-like hindlimbs and powerful shoulders), as well as prolonged pursuit (even if not as extreme as in extant large canids). Lacking a cat’s forelimb pronation/supination capabilities and retractile claws, Daphoenodon would not have been capable of grasping and holding onto prey with its paws. Instead, its massive skull with canid-like teeth (that could bite harder than extant canids and even a dire wolf) was its main weapon.[1][2]
D. superbus reconstruction by Max Bellomio->
References:
[1] Hunt Jr, R. M. (2009). Long-legged pursuit carnivorans (Amphicyonidae, Daphoeninae) from the early Miocene of North America. Bulletin of the American Museum of Natural History, 2009(318), 1-95.
[2] Hunt Jr, R. M. (2011). Evolution of large carnivores during the mid-Cenozoic of North America: the temnocyonine radiation (Mammalia, Amphicyonidae). Bulletin of the American Museum of Natural History, 2011(358), 1-153.
Depiction of Daphoenodon by Jay Matternes.
Temporal range: Neogene; Aquitanian to Burdigalian; ~23-17.5 Ma[1]
Scientific classification:
Life
Domain: Eukaryota
(unranked): Unikonta
(unranked): Opisthokonta
(unranked): Holozoa
(unranked): Filozoa
Kingdom: Animalia
Subkingdom: Eumetazoa
(unranked): Bilateria
Clade: Nephrozoa
Superphylum: Deuterostomia
Phylum: Chordata
Clade: Olfactores
Clade: Craniata
Subphylum: Vertebrata
Infraphylum: Gnathostomata
Clade: Eugnathostomata
Clade: Teleostomi
Superclass: Tetrapoda
Clade: Reptiliomorpha
Clade: Amniota
Clade: Synapsida
Clade: Eupelycosauria
Clade: Sphenacodontia
Clade: Sphenacodontoidea
Order: Therapsida
Clade: Eutheriodonta
Suborder: Cynodontia
Clade: Epicynodontia
Infraorder: Eucynodontia
Parvorder: Probainognathia
Superfamily: Chiniquodontoidea
Clade: Prozostrodontia
Clade: Mammaliaformes
Class: Mammalia
Clade: Holotheria
Superlegion: Trechnotheria
Legion: Cladotheria
Sublegion: Zatheria
Infralegion: Tribosphenida
Subclass: Theria
Clade: Eutheria
Infraclass: Placentalia
Subcohort: Exafroplacentalia
Magnorder: Boreoeutheria
Superorder: Laurasiatheria
(unranked): Ferae
(unranked): Carnivoramorpha
Order: Carnivora
Suborder: Caniformia
Family: †Amphicyonidae
Subfamily: †Daphoeninae
Genus: †Daphoenodon
Subgenus: †Daphoenodon
†Borocyon
Species: †D. falkenbachi
†D. notionastes
†D. robustum
†D. skinneri
†D. superbus
†D. niobrarensis
†D. neomexicanus
Daphoenodon (“blood-reeking tooth”) is an extinct genus of carnivoran belonging to the now extinct family Amphicyonidae. It lived in North America from the Aquitanian to the Burdigalian (late Arikareean to early Hemingfordian), roughly ~23 to ~17.5 million years ago. Borocyon (“devouring dog”) is considered a subgenus of Daphoenodon.[1]
Description:
Daphoenodon could be described as superficially dog-like, although exact size and proportions varied within species. The largest species was D. (B.) robustum, with a basilar skull length up to ~304 mm, and body mass ~100 kg based on long bone dimensions (with some males possibly reaching ~150 kg).[1]
D. superbus from the late Arikareean Agate National Monument had normally proportioned limbs. Those species within the subgenus Borocyon formed a derived clade of long-legged cursorial predators, first appearing in the latest Arikareean of New Mexico. D. (B.) niobrarensis from southeastern Wyoming exhibited moderate limb elongation that became even more pronounced in D. (B.) robustum.[1]
Species in the subgenus Borocyon had elongated forelimbs similar in proportions to those of a wolf or cheetah. However, the scapula of Daphoenodon (even in D. superbus, as well as D. (B.) niobrarensis) combined features of both extant ursids and large felids. The top border of the scapula and the relative volume of the supraspinatus and infraspinatus fossae are almost the same as those of modern lions and tigers. One ursid-like feature is a broad teres process. Additionally, the humeral head of D. (B.) niobrarensis exhibits well-defined muscle scars for rotator cuff muscles (supraspinatus, infraspinatus, subscapularis). These features suggest well-developed muscles for stabilizing the shoulder joint.[1]
The shape of the distal humerus became more wolf-like from D. superbus to Borocyon. In Borocyon, the ability to pronate and supinate the forelimb was more restricted than in living felids, though not quite as much as in a wolf. As a result, a cuffing or swatting motion with the paw would have been possible in bringing down prey. The proximal ends of the metacarpals are not particularly close/appressed like they are in a cheetah or canine, and are more splayed out like a lion’s. As a result, the forepaws of D. (B.) niobrarensis & D. (B.) robustum must have resembled the broad paws of big cats, possibly allowing them to strike prey, manipulating food to some extent, and possibly even excavating burrows. The claws are slender, long, and nearly straight like in modern bears.[1]
The proportions of Borocyon’s hindlimbs are not similar to those of canines or cheetahs, and more like those of a lion, and differ little from those of D. superbus and Daphoenus. These hindlimbs would have been capable of a powerful forward thrust like those of cats.[1]
D. (B.) robustum had a short rostrum. It also had a proportionately smaller braincase than in modern big cats and bears; as a result, the sagittal crest was more prominent, allowing for more room for temporal muscles. The mandibular force profile was similar to that of a wolf, but with the symphyseal strength of a hyena. It likely processed hard objects with its postcanine teeth. Also, it likely made quick, shallow, but powerful bites.[1] The mandibular force profile shows its lower jaw was much stronger than any living canid’s, and even the extinct dire wolf’s. Resistance to bending at the canines was also much stronger than in the wolf due to its more strongly buttressed mandibular symphysis.[2]
The overall anatomy of D. (B.) robustum suggest a large (~100-150 kg), formidable predator unlike any living today. It was capable of powerful acceleration (with its cat-like hindlimbs and powerful shoulders), as well as prolonged pursuit (even if not as extreme as in extant large canids). Lacking a cat’s forelimb pronation/supination capabilities and retractile claws, Daphoenodon would not have been capable of grasping and holding onto prey with its paws. Instead, its massive skull with canid-like teeth (that could bite harder than extant canids and even a dire wolf) was its main weapon.[1][2]
D. superbus reconstruction by Max Bellomio->
References:
[1] Hunt Jr, R. M. (2009). Long-legged pursuit carnivorans (Amphicyonidae, Daphoeninae) from the early Miocene of North America. Bulletin of the American Museum of Natural History, 2009(318), 1-95.
[2] Hunt Jr, R. M. (2011). Evolution of large carnivores during the mid-Cenozoic of North America: the temnocyonine radiation (Mammalia, Amphicyonidae). Bulletin of the American Museum of Natural History, 2011(358), 1-153.
