''Galecyon'' ("polecat-dog") is a
genus
Genus ( plural genera ) is a taxonomic rank used in the biological classification of extant taxon, living and fossil organisms as well as Virus classification#ICTV classification, viruses. In the hierarchy of biological classification, genus com ...
of
hyaenodonts
Hyaenodontidae ("hyena teeth") is a family of extinct predatory mammals from extinct superfamily Hyaenodontoidea within extinct order Hyaenodonta. Hyaenodontids arose during the early Eocene and persisted well into the early Miocene. Fossils of t ...
that lived during the early
Eocene
The Eocene ( ) Epoch is a geological epoch (geology), epoch that lasted from about 56 to 33.9 million years ago (mya). It is the second epoch of the Paleogene Period (geology), Period in the modern Cenozoic Era (geology), Era. The name ''Eocene' ...
in
Europe
Europe is a large peninsula conventionally considered a continent in its own right because of its great physical size and the weight of its history and traditions. Europe is also considered a Continent#Subcontinents, subcontinent of Eurasia ...
and
North America
North America is a continent in the Northern Hemisphere and almost entirely within the Western Hemisphere. It is bordered to the north by the Arctic Ocean, to the east by the Atlantic Ocean, to the southeast by South America and the Car ...
(found in the Clarks Fork and Powder River basins of
Wyoming
Wyoming () is a U.S. state, state in the Mountain states, Mountain West subregion of the Western United States. It is bordered by Montana to the north and northwest, South Dakota and Nebraska to the east, Idaho to the west, Utah to the south ...
).
PaleoBiology Database: ''Galecyon'', basic info
/ref>
Description
''Galecyon'' had robust canines and short, deep jaws. Prior to 2015, little was known about its post-cranial skeleton.[ However, following the discovery of more complete fossils, it is now known to have been a primarily terrestrial animal weighing between , lacking the adaptations for climbing found in some of its close relatives.]
Phylogeny
The phylogenetic relationships of genus ''Galecyon'' are shown in the following cladogram.
References
Hyaenodonts
Eocene mammals
Prehistoric mammals of North America
Prehistoric mammals of Europe
Eocene genus first appearances
Prehistoric placental genera
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