A critical review of African species of Eucyon (Mammalia; Carnivora; Canidae), with a new species from the Pliocene of the Woranso‐Mille Area, Afar Region, Ethiopia. (7th October 2014)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Werdelin, Lars; Lewis, Margaret E.; Haile‐Selassie, Yohannes; Goswami, Anjali
• Is Part Of: Papers in palaeontology. Volume 1:Number 1(2015)
• Page Start: 33
• Page End: 40
• Publication Date: 2014-10-07
• Subjects: Paleontology -- Periodicals; 560.5
• DOI: 10.1002/spp2.1001
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 2056-2802

Abstract

<abstract abstract-type="main" id="spp21001-abs-0001"> <title>Abstract</title> <p> <italic>Eucyon</italic> is a paraphyletic genus of jackal‐sized canids that predated the appearance of true <italic>Canis</italic> in North America, Eurasia and Africa. In this study, we describe a new species of <italic>Eucyon</italic>, <italic> E. kuta</italic>, from the Woranso‐Mille Area, Afar Region, Ethiopia. The new species differs from all other described <italic>Eucyon</italic> in having the distal cusps of the p4 united into a crest. It may be the youngest <italic>Eucyon</italic> known from Africa and is larger than described <italic>Eucyon</italic> from that continent. Other described African <italic>Eucyon</italic> are briefly reviewed, and we suggest that some material may be referable to foxes (Vulpini), while other material may belong to the small bear‐dog <italic>Bonisicyon illacabo</italic> (Amphicyonidae) or a closely related taxon.</p> </abstract>