Bonisicyon Temporal range: Messinian,
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Scientific classification | |
Domain: | Eukaryota |
Kingdom: | Animalia |
Phylum: | Chordata |
Class: | Mammalia |
Order: | Carnivora |
Family: | †Amphicyonidae |
Subfamily: | †Amphicyoninae |
Genus: | †Bonisicyon Werdelin and Simpson, 2009 |
Type species | |
†Bonisicyon illacabo Werdelin and Simpson, 2009
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Bonisicyon is an extinct genus of carnivoran mammals, belonging to the family Amphicyonidae ("bear dogs"). It is the last-surviving member of its family, living in East Africa during the end of the Miocene epoch. Known only from a damaged mandible and isolated teeth from the Nawata Formation, and possibly also the Lukeino Formation, its closer taxonomic affinities are unclear. It is notable for both its small size, and its unique dentition.[1]