Phlaocyon yatkolai is not a widely recognized taxonomic name in the scientific literature. Comprehensive databases, peer‑reviewed publications, and major paleontological references do not list this binomial as a valid species of the extinct canid genus Phlaocyon. Consequently, detailed morphological, stratigraphic, or geographic information for P. yatkolai is unavailable.
The genus Phlaocyon belongs to the subfamily Borophaginae, a group of early canids that lived in North America from the late Oligocene through the Miocene (approximately 30–15 million years ago). Members of Phlaocyon are characterized by relatively small body sizes and dentition adapted for an omnivorous diet, distinguishing them from later, more hypercarnivorous borophagines.
The specific epithet “yatkolai” appears to be a patronym, possibly honoring an individual with the surname Yatkol or a similar name, following the conventional Latinization of personal names in zoological nomenclature. However, without a formal description or citation, the etymology remains speculative.
Status: No verifiable encyclopedic information is currently available for Phlaocyon yatkolai. Further research in specialized paleontological journals or museum records would be required to confirm whether this name has been formally published or is an informal designation.