What functional priority differentiated Epicyon from formidable Dire wolves (Canis dirus)?
Answer
Prioritizing crushing power over sustained running speed
A key element in comparing large prehistoric predators is specialization. While Dire wolves (*Canis dirus*) were formidable, *Epicyon* appears to have been the heavier animal whose entire cranial structure was dedicated to crushing bone. This means *Epicyon* prioritized brute crushing power suitable for processing entire carcasses, including marrow, over the sustained running speed that more cursorial forms, like the Dire wolf lineage, adapted for.
Related Questions
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