Daphoenodon
Daphoenodon is an extinct genus of terrestrial carnivore, which lived in the early Miocene and belonged to the family Amphicyonidae ("bear dogs") of the suborder Caniformia.[1] The species of Daphoenodon are characterized by limbs that are specialized in fore and aft movement, as well as a body alignment that results in a lengthened stride. [2]
D. falkenbachi was a larger species that was found in northern Goshen, southeastern Platte Counties, Wyoming, and Nebraska. A smaller species, D. skinneri, was found in southern Wyoming.[1] In one large species, D. robustum, the forelimb is elongated, making the adaptation for pursuing prey over open terrain very evident. The skeletal structure of D. robustum shows a predator that shares characteristics with highly evolved modern species—wolves and cheetahs—as well as large ambush wild cats (felids)—lions and tigers.[2]
