Hyenas related to cats?

Ever wonder what dogs and hyenas have in common? Would you be surprised to learn that hyenas are more closely related to cats than dogs? In fact, according to this video thesis, the shared bone-crushing abilities of dogs and hyenas is actually an example of convergent evolution.

More like this

Being confronted with a pack of wolves is bad enough, but if you happened to be in Alaska some 12,000 years ago, things would be much, much worse. Back then, the icy forests were patrolled by a sort of super-wolf. Larger and stronger than the modern gray wolf, this beast had bigger teeth and more…
The skeleton of Daeodon (Dinohyus), an entelodont.There are few fossil mammals that are as scary-looking as entelodonts. Justifiably called "Hell Pigs" in the book Cruisin' the Fossil Freeway, the long, toothy skulls of entelodonts are certainly imposing. This extinct group of pig relatives didn't…
One of Charles R. Knight's paintings of Smilodon fatalis, this one menacing a giant sloth stuck in tar (off panel).There are few fossil mammals that are as impressive as the saber-toothed cat Smilodon fatalis, but despite it's fearsome dentition some recent reports have suggested it was more of a…
Update on the burgeoning Jane Austen massacre genre: you knew Pride and Prejudice and Zombies was coming out and generating unforeseen (at least by its publisher) interweb buzz. Subsequently we learned the book is to be followed by a movie produced by Sir Elton John, the amply titled Pride and…

Fascinating to know hyenas are more related to me than dogs! Good detective work on their convergent evolution, Dr. Tseng! - Sir William the Cat at www.InDefenseofCats.com

By Sir William the Cat (not verified) on 10 Jul 2013 #permalink

I love the 2 minute thesis :)

Got any more ?

By Delurked Lurker (not verified) on 12 Jul 2013 #permalink

It is pretty mind blowing that a hyena is more related to a cat than a dog. my understanding of convergent evolution is that different organisms evolve similarities, do u think they possible share a common ancestor, not sure how they hyenas's are are related to humans thought.

Is it possible that the structural similarities between the hyena and wild dog suggest that they once shared the same if not similar geographical habitat. allowing them to adapt to their environment and the ability to crush bones with ease. Imagine if Darwin did not lay down the foundation for evolution big thanks to the man. well done on your findings Dr dolittile

It is indeed interesting t know that after many years of interactions with "mans best friends" we are still able to find new information about species that have been around populations for decades.I am interested to know whether a dog and a hyena can now be considered as divergent evolution since a hyena is more closely related to a cat than a dog. Although this topic has raised multiple questions for me i believe it will to what was once high school mandatory studying to real life understanding of the change in organisms around us

Hm... . Telling the truth, I don't believe it.
Knowing hateful attitude almost half of the human population towards cats / thanks to whom - the cats - all of the people are alive i prosper bdw /, I wouldn't be suprised,
if it wpould be just a made up staff.
Simple, as that.