Canis+Cedazoensis

=Canis Cedazoensis= The extinct canine species "Canis Cedazoensis" is the most likely evolutionary ancestor of the Black Backed Jackal. The oldest fossil of the Black-Backed Jackal was dated to the Pleistocene era, this is around the time that Canis Cedazoensis went extinct in North America. Canis Cedazoensis fossils have been dated back to around 4.9 million years ago. However, different species of Jackal had already diverged from this animal, and travelled over the land (see figure 1) that linked America to Europe. This would account for the spread of Jackals across Europe, Southern Asia and Africa.



Habitat:
The Canis Cedazoensis lived in the lower part of North America (see figure 2), so it is plausible that when the species diversified some traveled over the land bridge into Europe. This accounts for the spread of jackals today.

Canis Cedazoensis mainly inhabited the prairies of North America 4.9 million years ago. It isn't known whether Canis Cedazoensis was monogamous like its descendants, the Jackal, however scientists are reasonably certain that they were not pack animals. This is known because of the spread of the fossils that have been found. Like all canines they inherited a sagittal crest, which allows them to have immense pressure when they bite down.

At the time, there was a variety of mega fauna in the same environment as Canis Cedazoensis. The mega fauna had very tough skin, and as a result the Canis Cedazoensis developed serrated molars, and cusped premolars that sharpened the canines as the Canis Cedazoensis bit down. This would have led to the Canis Cedazoensis developing scavenger habits. Due to the lack of fruits and other edible vegetation on the prairies, the Canis Cedazoensis would have had a hyper carnivorous diet. In addition to being in competition with other scavnegers such as the Hesperocyon, they were also hunted by one of the most successful predators of the time, the Sabre-toothed Cat.



Extinction Pressure:
As Sabre-Tooth Tigers displayed pack habits, it was difficult for the Canis Cedazoensis to scavenge off their kills before other, larger predators and scavengers came to feed. Canis Cedazoensis was the same size as the Black-Backed Jackal, which worked to its disadvantage as it wasn't as fast or as powerful as other predators, such as the Tetratornis and Dire Wolf, in the area.

In times when food was scarce, predators may have hunted the Canis Cedazoensis as they lived close to the predators to scavenge off of their kills. As the Canis Cedazoensis was hyper carnivorous, it relied on larger predators for most of its food.

Adaptations:
1. __//Cusped Premolar (see figure 3)://__ The Canis Cedazoensis had cusped premolars, just like its descendant the Jackal. The function of a Cusped Premolar is to sharpen the canine tooth as the Canis Cedazoensis bit down. This is apparent in many other modern day species of canine and other animals. Their canines were longer than those of the modern day Jackal, because they would have scavenged off of larger animals with tougher flesh. The sharpened canines would have ensured that the Canis Cedazoensis could tear chunks of flesh from a carcass quickly and get away from predators. 

2. __//Sagittal Crest (see figure 4)://__ The Canis Cedazoensishad a skull that had a very prominent crest along the top. This crest is seen in all canine species today, as the jaw muscles are attached to this crest. The crest is larger than in modern day Jackals, this indicates that it could bite with more force. This is indicates that the Canis Cedazoensis would have been able to kill its own food of in dire need. However, due to the size of the Canis Cedazoensis it would not have been able to bring down anything large by itself.

3. __//Serrated Molars (see figure 5)://__ The Canis Cedazoensis had serrated molars; this would have helped to tenderize meat when it was eaten. It was essential to tenderize the meat, as the Canis Cedazoensis would have swallowed it whole and could choke on it. The serrated molars would have also been used if the Canis Cedazoensis got into territorial disputes with others of the same species. With the immense crushing power afforded by the muscles attached to the sagittal crest, the Canis Cedazoensis would have been able to crush bones and do serious damage to rivals in the area. 

4. __//Hyper Carnivorous (see figure 6)://__ Due to the scarcity of edible vegetation and fruit on the prairies, the Canis Cedazoensis developed a Hyper-Carnivorous diet (meaning that its diet was over 70% meat) to help i survive. Due to its inability to bring down prey itself (as the prey of the era were mega fauna), the Canis Cedazoensis developed the scavenger habits that we see in Jackals today. The modern Jackal has adapted to have a diverse diet that means that it can almost be classified as an omnivore.

5. __//Not a pack animal (see figure 7)://__ Like the modern day Jackal, Canis Cedazoensis was not a pack animal. Canis Cedazoensis fossils have been found individually and often very far apart from each other, this is not indicative of pack behaviour. The spread of the fossils also indicate that the Canis Cedazoensis may have protected a territory, much like its descendants. Its solitary nature would have helped it survive, as Canis Cedazoensis would only need to get food for itself and perhaps pups. There would be no obligations to other pack members. 

Canis Cedazoensis Bibliography:
<span style="font-family: 'Andalus','serif'; font-size: 14pt;">1. Canis cedazoensis. (2011). Retrieved from [|Canis Cedazoensis] <span style="font-family: 'Andalus','serif'; font-size: 14pt;">2. Canis cedazoensis skull. (2011). Retrieved from [|Skull] <span style="font-family: 'Andalus','serif'; font-size: 14pt;">3. Canis cedazoensis. (2010, October 17). Retrieved from [|Canis Cedazoensis]

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