Canis lepophagus
| Canis lepophagus Temporal range: | |
|---|---|
| Scientific classification | |
| Domain: | Eukaryota |
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Chordata |
| Class: | Mammalia |
| Order: | Carnivora |
| Family: | Canidae |
| Genus: | Canis |
| Species: | †C. lepophagus |
| Binomial name | |
| †Canis lepophagus Johnston (1938) | |
| Range of Canis lepophagus based on fossil distribution | |
Canis lepophagus (Latin: canis: 'dog'; lepus: 'hare' or 'rabbit'; suffix -phagus: '-eating'; hence hare-eating dog) is an extinct species of canid which was endemic to much of North America during the Early Pliocene. It is notable because its lineage is proposed to have led to both wolves and coyotes.