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

Eucyon is a paraphyletic genus of jackal‐sized canids that predated the appearance of true Canis in North America, Eurasia and Africa. In this study, we describe a new species of Eucyon, E. kuta, from the Woranso‐Mille Area, Afar Region, Ethiopia. The new species differs from all other described Euc...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Papers in palaeontology 2015-02, Vol.1 (1), p.33-40
Main Authors: Werdelin, Lars, Lewis, Margaret E., Haile-Selassie, Yohannes
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Afar Region
Africa
Canidae
Ecosystems and species history
Ekosystem och arthistoria
Ethiopia
Eucyon
Woranso-Mille
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Summary:Eucyon is a paraphyletic genus of jackal‐sized canids that predated the appearance of true Canis in North America, Eurasia and Africa. In this study, we describe a new species of Eucyon, E. kuta, from the Woranso‐Mille Area, Afar Region, Ethiopia. The new species differs from all other described Eucyon in having the distal cusps of the p4 united into a crest. It may be the youngest Eucyon known from Africa and is larger than described Eucyon from that continent. Other described African Eucyon 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 Bonisicyon illacabo (Amphicyonidae) or a closely related taxon.
ISSN:2056-2802
2056-2799
2056-2802
DOI:10.1002/spp2.1001