Name:
Brachycyon
(Arm dog).
Phonetic: Brak-e-sy-on.
Named By: Filhol - 1872.
Classification: Chordata, Mammalia, Carnivora,
Amphicyonidae.
Species: B. reyi, B. palaeolycos.
Diet: Carnivore.
Size: Details unavailable.
Known locations: Eurasia and North America.
Time period: Eocene.
Fossil representation: Partial remains.
A little known ‘bear dog’, Brachycyon had a short muzzle, something that may have been an adaptation for cracking open bones, since this behaviour is also attributed to other short faced animals (i.e. Borophagus and Arctodus). This is a simple principal based upon the fact that a shorter jaw means that food is always nearer the fulcrum (point of articulation) of the jaw which means that it is easier to focus the force from the jaw closing muscles onto whatever is in the mouth.
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