Lycaon Pictus - Taxonomy

Taxonomy

Lycaon pictus is the only extant species in the genus Lycaon. An extinct species from the African Pleistocene, Lycaon sekowei, is a possible ancestor of the modern species. Another possible ancestor of these (and several other canids) from the Pleistocene of Eurasia is Xenocyon lycaonoides; this is sometimes also placed in Lycaon. Although in a lineage distinct from wolves, domestic dogs, and coyotes, wild dogs are more closely related to them than to other canids.

There are five recognized subspecies of Lycaon pictus:

• Lycaon pictus pictus
• Lycaon pictus lupinus
• Lycaon pictus manguensis
• Lycaon pictus sharicus
• Lycaon pictus somalicus