To which extinct subfamily did Epicyon belong, earning the nickname bone-crushers?
Answer
Borophaginae
Epicyon is classified as a member of the extinct subfamily Borophaginae. This grouping received the evocative designation "bone-crushing dogs" due to the specific dental modifications exhibited by its members. Unlike the ancestors of modern dogs, which often display dental structures optimized for shearing, the borophagines evolved teeth and cranial structures designed specifically to handle and exert immense compressive loads necessary for processing dense skeletal material.
Related Questions
To which extinct subfamily did Epicyon belong, earning the nickname bone-crushers?What characteristic differentiates the dentition of Borophaginae dogs like Epicyon from modern sleek canids?What specific resource acquisition strategy required the high compressive force inferred from Epicyon's crushing dentition?What was the implied primary focus of Epicyon's bite mechanics over the total duration of the bite?What geological epoch is specified as the time when Epicyon was potentially bringing down large prey?What function is attributed to the bite specialization of the Modern Wolf (Canis lupus) according to the comparison table?What characteristic is noted about the bite of the Modern Hyena (*Crocuta crocuta*) that serves as a point of comparison for crushing power?How does the text contrast the African lion's bite optimization with the inferred strategy of Epicyon?What ecological advantage resulted from Epicyon's routine capability to fracture bone?What specific mechanical stress application characterized Epicyon's bite compared to that of modern coursing hunters?