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Taxa

Lycaon

Mammal Genera

Lycaon is a genus of canids, family Canidae, containing one living species, the African wild dog, Lycaon pictus, plus two extinct species known from the fossil record, including Lycaon sekowei from the early Pleistocene of South Africa. Members are hypercarnivorous and highly cursorial, with accessory cusps on the premolars and a lighter, four-toed build adapted for endurance running and pack hunting across the African savanna.

Facts
Taxonomic Rank
Genus 1
Scientific Name
Lycaon 1
Member Species/Taxa Count
1 1
Geographic Distribution
occurs foremost in Southern and East Africa, it is rare in North Africa and mostly absent in West Africa 1
Defining Characteristics
dentition highly specialised for a hypercarnivorous diet and by a lack of dewclaws 1
Identification
Distinguishing Appearance
stiff bristle-hairs with no underfur 1
Classification
Living or Extinct
Yes 2
In the Other Atlases
  • Also in Geography Atlas: Africa, found in there.
  • Also in Geography Atlas: East Africa, found in there.
  • Also in Geography Atlas: North Africa, found in there.
  • Also in Geography Atlas: West Africa, found in there.
Sources
1. African Wild Dog (Wikipedia)
Wikimedia Foundation
  • Introduction, sentence 1 (rank clause)
    the largest wild canine in Africa and the only extant member of the genus Lycaon
  • Introduction, sentence 1 (name clause)
    the largest wild canine in Africa and the only extant member of the genus Lycaon
  • Introduction, sentence 1 (count clause)
    the only extant member of the genus Lycaon
  • Distribution and habitat section
    occurs foremost in Southern and East Africa. It is rare in North Africa and mostly absent in West Africa
  • Description section, dentition clause
    dentition highly specialised for a hypercarnivorous diet and by a lack of dewclaws
  • Description section, coat clause
    stiff bristle-hairs with no underfur
View the Source
2. Wikidata (taxon extant/extinct status)
Wikimedia Foundation / Wikidata contributorsQ12061410, descriptionView the Source
Wikidata: African Wild Dog
Wikidata Q173651, class allow-list match (w-wdresolver-0926)View the Source
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