Pachyaena
Encyclopedia
Pachyaena was a genus
of heavily built, relatively short-legged mesonychid
s that originated from Asia
. The species ranged in size from a coyote
to a bear
. During the height of their influence, the species of Pachyaena, similar to those of Dissacus
before them, ranged from Asia
to North America
.
Genus
In biology, a genus is a low-level taxonomic rank used in the biological classification of living and fossil organisms, which is an example of definition by genus and differentia...
of heavily built, relatively short-legged mesonychid
Mesonychid
Mesonychia are an extinct order of medium to large-sized carnivorous mammals that were closely related to artiodactyls and to cetaceans...
s that originated from Asia
Asia
Asia is the world's largest and most populous continent, located primarily in the eastern and northern hemispheres. It covers 8.7% of the Earth's total surface area and with approximately 3.879 billion people, it hosts 60% of the world's current human population...
. The species ranged in size from a coyote
Coyote
The coyote , also known as the American jackal or the prairie wolf, is a species of canine found throughout North and Central America, ranging from Panama in the south, north through Mexico, the United States and Canada...
to a bear
Bear
Bears are mammals of the family Ursidae. Bears are classified as caniforms, or doglike carnivorans, with the pinnipeds being their closest living relatives. Although there are only eight living species of bear, they are widespread, appearing in a wide variety of habitats throughout the Northern...
. During the height of their influence, the species of Pachyaena, similar to those of Dissacus
Dissacus
Dissacus is an extinct carnivorous jackal to coyote-sized mammal of the family Mesonychidae, endemic to Asia and North America during the Paleocene through Eocene epochs 65—50.3 mya, existing for approximately ....
before them, ranged from Asia
Asia
Asia is the world's largest and most populous continent, located primarily in the eastern and northern hemispheres. It covers 8.7% of the Earth's total surface area and with approximately 3.879 billion people, it hosts 60% of the world's current human population...
to North America
North America
North America is a continent wholly within the Northern Hemisphere and almost wholly within the Western Hemisphere. It is also considered a northern subcontinent of the Americas...
.
Species
- Genus Pachyaena
- Pachyaena gigantea
- Pachyaena intermedia
- Pachyaena ossifraga
- Pachyaena gracilis