Hesperocyon+-+David+Thomson


 * >>>Arctic Fox>>> (Modern Animal) ||

Hesperocyon The //Hesperocyon// was present in the world roughly 40 – 30 mya (million years ago). The word //Hesperocyon// means ‘western dog’ in Greek. The //Hesperocyon// is related to the Arctic Fox in that it eventually gave rise to the //Archaeocyon// and //Leptocyon//, these two genus’ led to the canine radiations, forming into the wolves, jackals, hyenas, dogs, dingos, coyotes and of courses foxes we see today. In this report the //Hesperocyon// will be analysed as to see why it became extinct. Although there are 3 suspected species in the //Hesperocyon// genus, only one is confirmed, being the //Canis Gregarius//. Scientific Classification
 * **Level** || **Classification** ||
 * Kingdom: || Animalia ||
 * Phylum: || Chordata ||
 * Class: || Mammalia ||
 * Order: || Carnivora ||
 * Family: || Canidae ||
 * Subfamily: || Hesperocyoninae ||
 * Genus: || Hesperocyon ||
 * Species: || Canis gregarius ||


 * [[image:Hesperocyon_Gregarius.jpg]] ||
 * Canis Gregarius - Hesperocyon ||

Habitat

The Hesperocyon lived in North America mainly, predominantly in the northwest, although fossils have been found in Canada and even some of the hotter southern states of America. Little is known of the predators of the Hesperocyon at the time, but it is thought that reptiles were the main threat. The prey of the Hesperocyon was mainly small rodent-like creatures. The climate in which it lived was particularly hot for the time, being similar to today’s temperatures (thanks to the Carbon Dioxide levels). The environment in which it lived was mainly made up of dense forest with lakes as water sources and plenty of natural vegetation. The creature lived on a diet of both meat and plant life as detailed further in the omnivore adaptation. Adaptations


 * Sleek Body Adaptation **

The Hesperocyon developed a very sleek body, with little excess body fat. This was primarily developed for the ability to be more agile in its environment. It may have also been due to the fact that it was from the Eocene to Oligocene Epoch, which was the last point in the past in which carbon dioxide levels were as high as they are today, meaning that it was extremely hot. Therefore a sleek body allowed the Hesperocyon to stay cool while also being able to scale trees, avoid predators and stalk prey more stealthily. This allowed the Hesperocyon to continue breeding for many more mating cycles, and therefore increase the population of the Hesperocyon. The environmental factor that caused this adaptation was clearly the fact that the temperature were extremely high (due to the time in which it lived), as well as the fact that its prey was fast and nimble.

One of the key features of the Hesperocyon is its razor sharp teeth, designed in the famous canine dentition format. They are perfectly designed for tearing through meat, giving the Hesperocyon an advantage when attacking prey. The sharp teeth were also developed to more easily cut down food to be eaten. This allows the Hesperocyon to more easily consume food and thus continue the population of its species. The environmental factor that led to the sharp teeth being developed is that the prey at the time (small rodent-like creatures) had extremely tough skin.
 * Sharp Teeth Adaptation **

The Hesperocyon is thought to be an omnivorous creature, meaning it has developed over time to eat both plants and animals. The adaptation of being an omnivore was most likely developed to allow the Hesperocyon to have a wider access to food. While the Hesperocyon does prefer meat, it will eat plant life also. This is probably one of the core reasons the Hesperocyoninae sub-family was able to survive long enough to bring us the canines of today, showing us that an omnivorous adaptation is a key part of continuance of a species. It most likely developed this adaptation due to a lack of food at some point in its existence.
 * Omnivorous Adaptation **

The long tail adaptation of the Hesperocyon was developed for the purpose of balance. It was developed to allow the Hesperocyon to stay balanced when chasing prey, or escaping from predators. It allowed further reproduction by ensuring greater survival of its species. The most likely reason that the Hesperocyon developed a long tail was the speed and agility of its predators and prey.
 * Long tail Adaptation **

The Hesperocyon has a uniquely long face, particularly its snout (as shown in Figure 01.) The reason why it developed a long face was to reach into the burrows of the small rodents that it usually hunted. It allowed the Hesperocyon to get more food, and thus increase its rate of survivability. The environmental factor that caused the Hesperocyon to develop its long face was most likely the adaptation of the creatures it hunted learning to create dens or burrows underground.
 * Long face Adaptation **

Extinction Factors The Hesperocyon (and the whole sub-family Hesperocyoninae) became extinct roughly 30 mya. The main factor that caused the animal to become extinct was not a complete wipe out of its genus, but rather the fact that it evolved into more advanced, and stronger versions of itself. It was one of the first creatures to arise out of the post-dinosaur era and thus can be considered a key part of mammal evolution.

Bibliography Strauss, B. (2008, December 6). Hesperocyon - prehistoric dog. Retrieved from [] on 22nd June 2011 Stoner, A.T. (2007). //Hesperocyoninae//. Retrieved from [] on 22nd June 2011 Wikipedia (2011, June 3). Hesperocyon. Retrieved from [] on 22nd June 2011