What evolutionary phenomenon explains the superficial resemblance between *Hyaenodon* and modern hyenas despite their lack of recent ancestry?
Answer
Convergent evolution
The similarity in function between the teeth of *Hyaenodon* and modern hyenas is cited as a classic case of convergent evolution, where unrelated species develop similar traits independently.
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Related Questions
To which extinct order of early placental mammals did *Hyaenodon* belong?What is the literal translation of the name *Hyaenodon*?What evolutionary phenomenon explains the superficial resemblance between *Hyaenodon* and modern hyenas despite their lack of recent ancestry?During which geologic epochs did *Hyaenodon* persist?How did the specialized bite mechanism of *Hyaenodon* likely differ from that of modern hyenas?The extreme variation in size observed across the *Hyaenodon* genus is an example of what ecological process?Fossil records indicate that *Hyaenodon* species were geographically widespread across which continents?What feature of *Hyaenodon* was described as quite large relative to the rest of its body?What is suggested as a potential implication of *Hyaenodon*'s presumed killing method (targeting the head or neck)?The eventual extinction of *Hyaenodon* around 23 MYA is linked primarily to what broad environmental changes?