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 Scientific Name Member Species/Taxa Count Geographic Distributionoccurs foremost in Southern and East Africa, it is rare in North Africa and mostly absent in West Africa 1 Defining Characteristicsdentition highly specialised for a hypercarnivorous diet and by a lack of dewclaws 1 Identification
Distinguishing Appearancestiff bristle-hairs with no underfur 1 Sources
1. African Wild Dog (Wikipedia)
Wikimedia FoundationIntroduction, 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
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