Cynarctus

Cynarctus is an extinct canid of the subfamily Borophaginae which inhabited most of North America during the Late Miocene subepoch (15.9—10.3 mya). Cynarctus existed for approximately 5.6 million years.

Taxonomy

Cynarctus was named by Matthew in 1902. It was assigned to Amphicyoninae by Matthew (1902); to Canidae by Carroll (1988); and to Cynarctina by Wang et al. (1999).

Morphology

Two specimens were examined by Legendre and Roth for body mass. The first specimen was estimated to weigh 5.28 kg (11.6 lb). The second specimen was estimated to weigh 5.16 kg (11.4 lb).

Fossil distribution

Fossils have been uncovered in California, Maryland, western Nebraska, and Texas.

References