Quaternary small to large canids in Europe: Taxonomic status and biochronological contribution

The Caninae are especially abundant in the Plio-Pleistocene record of Western Europe where several genera, species and subspecies have been recognized, with some still under discussion about taxonomical attribution. They have important ecological roles among carnivoran guilds throughout the Quaternary, and some are high-level competitors. Their appearance and dispersal can be considered as major bioevents during different phases of the Quaternary. They therefore are relevant biochronological markers which can be correlated with main European faunal turnovers, from the ‘wolf-event’ at the end of the Pliocene, followed by high taxonomic diversity in Early to Middle Pleistocene and specific lineage with high size variation during the Middle and Late Pleistocene. As for many other mammals with very wide distribution, Canids demonstrate a relative high morphological and body-size (clinal) variability which in one sense are often underestimates and lead to creation of taxa from a geographical base, especially in southwestern Europe, characterized by high regional peculiarities (e.g. peninsular condition). This paper proposes a preliminary analysis, mostly based on teeth morphometry, of the taxonomy of wolf- and coyote/jackal-sized canids from distinct examples in southwestern Europe: small canids of Early Pleistocene age, discussion of genus Cuon and analysis of the etruscus-mosbachensis-lupus lineage. The contribution of Canids as biochronological taxa are discussed.