| Nyctereutes[1] | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Common andJapanese raccoon dog | |
Scientific classification | |
| Domain: | Eukaryota |
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Chordata |
| Class: | Mammalia |
| Order: | Carnivora |
| Family: | Canidae |
| Tribe: | Vulpini |
| Genus: | Nyctereutes Temminck, 1838[2] |
| Type species | |
| Canis viverrinus | |
| Species | |
Nyctereutes (Greek:nyx, nykt- "night" +ereutēs "wanderer") is agenus ofcanid which includes only two extant species, both known asraccoon dogs: thecommon raccoon dog (Nyctereutes procyonoides) and theJapanese raccoon dog (Nyctereutes viverrinus).[1]Nyctereutes first entered the fossil record 5.5 million years ago (Mya) innorthern China. It was one of the earliest canines to arrive in theOld World. All but two species became extinct before the end of thePleistocene. A study suggests that the evolution ofNyctereutes was influenced by environmental and climatic changes, such as the expansion and contraction of forests and the fluctuations of temperature and precipitation.[3]
They are typically recognized by their short snouts, round crania and the shaping of their molars, specifically the ratio between M1 and M2.Nyctereutes is considered mainly an opportunistic carnivore, feeding on small mammals, fish, birds, and insects, alongside occasional plants, specifically roots. Their diet is mostly influenced by environmental factors.[3] Japanese raccoon dogs are considered distinct from the mainland species because of the larger skull size found in Russian and Hokkaido raccoon dogs.[4]
| Common name | Scientific name and subspecies | Range | Size and ecology | IUCN status and estimated population |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Common raccoon dog
| Nyctereutes procyonoides (Gray, 1834) Four subspecies
| Mongolia, Russian Far East, China, Korea, Vietnam; introduced to Europe | Size: Habitat: Diet: | LC |
| Japanese raccoon dog
| Nyctereutes viverrinus (Temminck, 1838) | Japan | Size: Habitat: Diet: | LC |
Authority control databases: National |
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