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

Lars Werdelin, Margaret E. Lewis, Yohannes Haile-Selassie

Research output: Contribution to journalReview articlepeer-review

7 Scopus citations

Abstract

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.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)33-40
Number of pages8
JournalPapers in Palaeontology
Volume1
Issue number1
DOIs
StatePublished - Feb 2015
Externally publishedYes

Keywords

  • Afar Region
  • Africa
  • Canidae
  • Ethiopia
  • Eucyon
  • Woranso-Mille

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Palaeontology

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