Alopecocyon is a fossil genus of ailurid belonging to the subfamily Simocyoninae. It has two species, Alopecocyon goeriachensis and Alopecocyon getti. It is based on fragmentary fossils dating to the middle Miocene of both Europe and Asia.
Taxonomy and evolution
The species A. goerichiachensis was first described (but in a different genus) in 1884. The genus was first named in 1940. A second species A. getti was described in 1958.
The species A. getti was proposed to be moved to a new genus Meiniogale in 2002, but this was rejected.
Characteristics
Alopecocyon differed from the earlier Amphictis in that it had relatively larger second molars compared to the first molars.
References
- Beaumont, G. de (1964). "Essai sur la position taxonomique des genres Alopecocyon Viret et Simocyon Wagner (Carnivora)". Eclogae Geologicae Helvetiae. 57: 829–836.
