Mesonyx
Mesonyx ("middle claw") is a genus of extinct mesonychid mesonychian mammal: fossils of the various species are found in Early to Late Eocene-age strata in the United States and Early Eocene-aged strata in China, 51.8—51.7 Ma (AEO). While this was the earliest genus of mesonychid to be named (by Edward Drinker Cope in 1872) and the group is named after it, "Mesonyx" was one of the most derived genera of mesonychids, evolving features for active running. These animals had a reduced sense of smell and likely relied on sight and hearing to find food. They were probably  active hunters. "Mesonyx" species have been estimated as 1.25-1.5m (4.5–5 ft.) long in life, not including the tail. Weight estimates vary, from 20 to 55 kg (about 45-120 lbs). Like other mesonychids, the toes ended in small hooves. The long skull had a relatively large sagittal crest above the braincase to anchor large jaw muscles and give it a powerful bite. Brain casts show that "M. obtusidens" had an unusually well-developed neocortex for an Eocene mammal. Though modern Carnivora have more complex brains, their ancestors did not; "Mesonyx" species would have been intelligent animals for their  time. "Mesonyx" specimens have been unearthed in Colorado, Wyoming, Utah and China. Like other mesonychids, they have large heads and long necks in proportion to their body size, and cranial material is most often preserved. "Mesonyx uintensis" from the Upper Eocene of Wyoming is described as having a total cranium length of 429 mm. (17 inches) and a facial length of 206 mm (8 inches). Another specimen of "Mesonyx uintensis" is known from the Upper Eocene of northern Utah. An additional two species – "Mesonyx uqbulakensis" and "M. nuhetingensis" – have been described from the early Eocene Arshanto Formation in China. Size  estimates of "Mesonyx" were used to generate the often-quoted idea that "Andrewsarchus" was the largest predatory land mammal that ever lived. Since "Andrewsarchus" is known only from a single isolated skull, the estimate of its size was based on scaling up material from "Mesonyx." However, it is now known that the two genera are not closely related, their skulls indicate different lifestyles, and they likely had very different proportions in life. Phylogeny. In the generally accepted cladogram by Spaulding "et al." (2009), Mesonyx is classified, together with other mesonychians, outside of ungulates.