Caninae

Lore & Background

The subfamily Caninae includes all living canids, such as wolves, foxes, and jackals. Its earliest known genus, Leptocyon, appeared in Sioux County, Nebraska during the Orellan era, 34-32 million years ago, at the same time as the sister group Borophaginae. Leptocyon species were small, weighing around 2 kg, and were adapted for snatching small, fast-moving prey, unlike the Borophaginae which had a powerful killing bite. The smallest canid ever, L. delicatus, belonged to this genus.

Reader's Guide

Caninae spent two-thirds of their history in North America before dispersing into Asia, Europe, and Africa about 7 million years ago. Their longer legs and lighter limbs may have aided this spread. The first canine to reach Eurasia was the coyote-sized Canis cipio, found in Spain, though its classification within Canis or Eucyon remains unclear. Molecular data suggest a North American origin of living Canidae around 10 million years ago and an African origin for wolf-like canines (Canis, Cuon, Lycaon), with jackals as the most basal of that group. The South American clade includes the maned wolf and bush dog, while the fox-like clade includes the fennec fox and Blanford's fox. The gray fox and island fox are basal to other clades, though this is not strongly supported.

Did You Know?

• Leptocyon, the first primitive canine, first appeared in Sioux County, Nebraska 34-32 million years ago.
• The species L. delicatus is the smallest canid to have existed.
• Canines spent two-thirds of their history in North America before dispersing to the Old World.
• The first canine to arrive in Eurasia was the coyote-sized Canis cipio, found in Spain.