Borophagus diversidens

Overview

Borophagus diversidens is a fossil canid known from skulls, jaws, and a partial skeleton. Body regions recorded together extend comparison from the head to the skeleton. It provides evidence of ancient diversity in the dog family.^[2]

Key facts

MU 8034 is described as a young adult with an associated skull, jaws, and partial skeleton. Several body regions can be studied together in one specimen. The specimen number provides a clue for following these connections.^[2]

Time and place

Material of this species appears in research on the Blanco fauna of Texas. Recorded occurrences are summarized as Pliocene and Pleistocene material. Together these intervals provide a broad setting of approximately 5.3 million to 12,000 years ago.^[1][2][3]

The time range describes source context, not the complete duration of this species.

Size, form and skeleton

Directly known material includes skulls, jaws, and a partial skeleton assigned to this species. These regions are recorded together in MU 8034. It allows comparison linking head features with body bones.^[2]

A model based on dental data in the 2021 CarniFOSS study estimates a body mass of approximately 79 kg.^[10]

Habitat and reproduction

How can the head and body of a fossil canid be studied together? Associated skulls, jaws, and partial skeletons offer opportunities to compare different regions. Material with several connected bones allows questions to expand toward the body’s arrangement.^[2]

Fossil discovery

A 1975 study of the Blanco fauna described material of diversidens. MU 8034 connects a young adult’s skull and jaws with a partial skeleton. A study of a fauna thus contains a detailed record of one individual.^[2]

References

1. Paleobiology Database — Records of Borophagus diversidens
2. 1975 study — Vertebrate fossils of the Blanco fauna, Texas
3. International Commission on Stratigraphy (2024) — Geological time chart
4. Paleobiology Database — Records of Borophagus diversidens
5. 1975 study — Vertebrate fossils of the Blanco fauna, Texas
6. International Commission on Stratigraphy (2024) — Geological time chart
7. Florida Museum — Discovery and localities of Titanis walleri
8. Brodkorb (1963) — A giant flightless bird from Florida
9. Gould & Quitmyer (2005) — Bones and wings of Titanis
10. Faurby·Morlo·Werdelin(2021) — CarniFOSS fossil carnivorous mammal body-mass data

Research questions

What comparisons with other individuals does a young adult specimen allow? Growth stage and surviving parts can be considered together when viewing the evidence side by side. It brings together questions about specimen associations and animal growth.^[2]

Observation

Move your gaze from the skull to the lower jaw, then to the partial skeleton. Picturing the regions recorded together in MU 8034 reveals a route toward understanding a fossil canid.^[2]