Phlaocyonini


Phlaocyonini is an extinct clade or tribe of hypocarnivorous borophagines. They were endemic to North America and from the Oligocene epoch to the Miocene living ~33.3–5.3 Ma, existing for approximately.
The clade includes Cynarctoides and Phlaocyon. These two genus members represent differing approaches of hypocarnivory. The Cynarctoides trend toward having molar teeth with crowns formed of crescent-shaped cusps and remain small in size. Phlaocyon specialize toward rounded cusps on the molar teeth but of increasing size, with an unusual trend toward being hypercarnivores by two terminal species in the clade.
Four transitional species of Cormocyon and Desmocyon occupy intermediate positions between the Phlaocyonini and Cynarctina. These represent a gradual size increase toward medium-size individuals.

Fossil distribution

A few of many sites: