Metalopex Temporal range:
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Scientific classification | |
Domain: | Eukaryota |
Kingdom: | Animalia |
Phylum: | Chordata |
Class: | Mammalia |
Order: | Carnivora |
Family: | Canidae |
Tribe: | Vulpini |
Genus: | †Metalopex Tedford and Wang, 2008[1] |
Species | |
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Metalopex is an extinct hypocarnivorous canid mammal similar to Vulpes endemic to Late Miocene North America. Its sister taxon is the extant Urocyon; together, the two genera form a clade based on dentition. These same dental characteristics are shared by Otocyon and Protocyon.[1]