What specific resource acquisition strategy required the high compressive force inferred from Epicyon's crushing dentition?
Answer
Accessing nutrient-rich bone marrow
The stout and robust nature of Epicyon's molar and premolar structures strongly suggests an evolutionary adaptation for consuming very hard materials, specifically including bone marrow locked within skeletal fragments. Accessing marrow represents a high-energy feeding strategy that demands significantly greater physical force to achieve than simply slicing through muscle tissue. This capability allowed Epicyon to claim the total caloric return from a kill, putting it in a unique competitive niche.
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