''Nyctereutes'' (Greek: ''nyx, nykt-'' "night" + ''ereutēs'' "wanderer") is a genus of canid which includes only two extant species both known as raccoon dogs; the common raccoon dog (''Nyctereutes procyonoides'') and the Japanese raccoon dog (''Nyctereutes viverrinus''). ''Nyctereutes'' first entered the fossil record 5.5 million years ago (

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) in

northern China Northern China () and Southern China () are two approximate regions within China. The exact boundary between these two regions is not precisely defined and only serve to depict where there appears to be regional differences between the climate ...

. It was one of the earliest canines to arrive in the

Old World The "Old World" is a term for Afro-Eurasia that originated in Europe , after Europeans became aware of the existence of the Americas. It is used to contrast the continents of Africa, Europe, and Asia, which were previously thought of by the ...

. All but two species became extinct before the Pleistocene. Nyctereutes megamastoides

Characteristics

They are typically recognized by their short snouts, round craniums, and of course the shaping of their molars specifically the ration between M1 and M2. ''Nyctereutes'' mainly is considered an opportunistic carnivore, meaning they mainly feed on small mammals, fish, birds, insects, alongside occasional plants specifically roots. Their diet is mostly influenced through environmental factors.

Species

Extant species

Fossil species

*†''Nyctereutes abdeslami'' 3.6—1.8 Mya (Morocco) *†''Nyctereutes donnezani'' 9.0—3.4 Mya (Eastern Europe, Spain) *†''Nyctereutes megamastoides'' (Europe) *†''Nyctereutes sinensis'' 3.6 Mya—781,000 years ago (Eastern Asia)Paleobiology Database: 'Nyctereutes sinensis'' basic info.
/ref> *†''Nyctereutes tingi'' *†''Nyctereutes vinetorum'' *†''Nyctereutes lockwoodi''

Characteristics

Species

Extant species

Fossil species

References

Further reading