Background: The African wolf, for which we herein recognise Canis lupaster Hemprich and Ehrenberg... more Background: The African wolf, for which we herein recognise Canis lupaster Hemprich and Ehrenberg, 1832 (Symbolae Physicae quae ex Itinere Africam Borealem er Asoam Occidentalem Decas Secunda. Berlin, 1833) as the valid species name (we consider the older name Canis anthus Cuvier, 1820 [Le Chacal de Sénégal, Femelle. In: Geoffroy St.-Hilaire E, Cuvier F, editors. Histoire Naturelle des Mammifères Paris, A. Belin, 1820] a nomen dubium), is a medium-sized canid with wolf-like characters. Because of phenotypic similarity, specimens of African wolf have long been assigned to golden jackal (Canis aureus Linnaeus, 1758 [Systema Naturae per Regna Tria Naturae, Secundum Classes, Ordines, Genera, Species, cum Characteribus, Differentiis, Synonymis, Locis. Tomus I. Editio decima, reformata, 1758]). Results: Here we provide, through rigorous morphological analysis, a species description for this taxonomically overlooked species. Through molecular sequencing we assess its distribution in Africa, which remains uncertain due to confusion regarding possible co-occurrence with the Eurasian golden jackal. Canis lupaster differs from all other Canis spp. including the golden jackal in its cranial morphology, while phylogenetically it shows close affinity to the Holarctic grey wolf (Canis lupus Linnaeus, 1758 [Systema Naturae per Regna Tria Naturae, Secundum Classes, Ordines, Genera, Species, cum Characteribus, Differentiis, Synonymis, Locis. Tomus I. Editio decima, reformata, 1758]). All sequences generated during this study clustered with African wolf specimens, consistent with previous data for the species. Conclusions: We suggest that the estimated current geographic range of golden jackal in Africa represents the African wolf range. Further research is needed in eastern Egypt, where a hybrid zone between Eurasian golden jackal and African wolf may exist. Our results highlight the need for improved studies of geographic range and population surveys for the taxon, which is classified as ‘least concern’ by the IUCN due to its erroneous identification as golden jackal. As a species exclusively distributed in Africa, investigations of the biology and threats to African wolf are needed
Revista del Centro de Estudios Históricos de Granada y su Reino, 2020
espanolEn este trabajo se resumen los estudios llevados a cabo en los distintos yacimientos arque... more espanolEn este trabajo se resumen los estudios llevados a cabo en los distintos yacimientos arqueopaleontologicos de Orce durante las ultimas decadas, haciendo especial hincapie en los resultados obtenidos a raiz de las ultimas campanas de excavacion (2017-2020), enmarcadas en el Proyecto General de Investigacion «Primeras ocupaciones humanas y contexto paleoecologico a partir de los depositos Pliopleistocenos de la cuenca Guadix-Baza. Zona Arqueologica de la cuenca de Orce». Los trabajos realizados en estos ultimos anos son una buena muestra del enfoque inter e intradisciplinar de la Prehistoria, y evidencian ademas que, aunque se lleve trabajando en los yacimientos de Orce casi 50 anos, estos siguen proporcionando datos muy interesantes acerca del contexto del poblamiento humano de Europa en las etapas mas antiguas del Pleistoceno. EnglishThis work summarizes the research carried out at the Orce archaeopalaeontological sites over the last few decades with particular emphasis on th...
We have recently reviewed the later Miocene (MN 6-13; ca 15-5 Ma ago) primates, hipparions, rhino... more We have recently reviewed the later Miocene (MN 6-13; ca 15-5 Ma ago) primates, hipparions, rhinocerotids, suoids and carnivores of Europe and the eastern Mediterranean. This work is still unpublished and analyses are underway, but a preliminary indication of some coarse patterns is given here for the sample consisting of the groups listed above: 1) There is a clear-cut difference between western and Central Europe on one hand and the eastern Mediterranean on the other. This is especially clear for species richness, which shows a rising trend throughout the Vallesian and earlier Turolian for the eastern regions and a falling trend for the western ones. 2) The major drops in species richness occurred between MN 6 and MN 7, between MN 9 and MN 10, and between MN 12 and MN 13. Of these, the "mid-Vallesian crisis" (MN 9-10) seems to have been entirely absent in the eastern Mediterranean, where species richness rose sharply during this interval. Correspondingly, the drop in MN ...
Venta Micena is an area containing several palaeontological sites marking the beginning of the Ca... more Venta Micena is an area containing several palaeontological sites marking the beginning of the Calabrian stage (Early Pleistocene). The richness of the fossil accumulation including species of Asian, African and European origin, makes Venta Micena a key site for the the palaeoecological and palaeoenvironmental study of southern Europe during the Early Pleistocene. Thus, research has been focused on Venta Micena 3, which was originally interpreted as a single palaeosurface associated with a marshy context, in which most of the fauna was accumulated by Pachycrocuta brevirostris. Recent excavations have unearthed a new site, Venta Micena 4, located in the same stratigraphic unit (Unit C) and in close proximity to Venta Micena 3. Here we show the first analyses regarding the taphonomic and spatial nature of this new site, defining two stratigraphic boundaries corresponding to two different depositional events. Furthermore, the taphonomic analyses of fossil remains seem to indicate a dif...
Development of dental abnormalities due to improper occlusal wear is common among modern domestic... more Development of dental abnormalities due to improper occlusal wear is common among modern domestic horses. This phenomenon often is attributed to jaw conformation. Rostral mandibular hooks may develop in horses with underjet or mandibular prognathism, a condition where the lower jaw protrudes forward, beyond the upper jaw. Less abrasive diet, free of phytoliths and matrix-like plant fibers, also may promote enamel and focal overgrowths of equine dentition. Here we report a rostral mandibular hook in a lower premolar tooth of a medieval horse, found in a spring deposit in Levänluhta, Osthrobothnia, Finland. To our knowledge, this is the first such report from a medieval horse.
ABSTRACT Mammalian carnivores adhere to two different
feeding strategies relative to their body m... more ABSTRACT Mammalian carnivores adhere to two different feeding strategies relative to their body masses. Large carnivores prey on animals that are the same size or larger than themselves, whereas small carnivores prey on smaller vertebrates and invertebrates. The Eurasian lynx (Lynx lynx) falls in between these two categories. Lynx descend from larger forms that were probably large prey specialists, but during the Pleistocene became predators of small prey. The modern Eurasian lynx may be an evolutionary reversal toward specializing in large prey again. We hypothesized that the musculoskeletal anatomy of lynx should show traits for catching large prey. To test our hypothesis, we dissected the forelimb muscles of six Eurasian lynx individuals and compared our findings to results published for other felids. We measured the bones and compared their dimensions to the published material. Our material displayed a well-developed pectoral girdle musculature with some uniquely extensive muscle attachments. The upper arm musculature resembled that of the pantherine felids and probably the extinct sabertooths, and also the muscles responsible for supination and pronation were similar to those in large cats. The muscles controlling the pollex were welldeveloped. However, skeletal indices were similar to those of small prey predators. Our findings show that lynx possess the topographic pattern of muscle origin and insertion like in large felids. J. Morphol. 000:000– 000, 2016. VC 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
The earliest dog finds in Finland are nearly as old as the evidence of human occupation in Finlan... more The earliest dog finds in Finland are nearly as old as the evidence of human occupation in Finland, more than 10 000 years. Although scarce and mainly burnt and poorly preserved, dog bones are present in southern Finland throughout the Stone Age. In northern Finland, however, dogs are absent in palaeofauna. Dog bones are present at Iron Age sites, where they are found in both occupational contexts and burials. Dog bones from Iron Age burials are mainly burnt, but those from occupational sites are unburnt, as are those found at Historical Period sites. Early dogs probably aided in seal and elk hunt and were also used for pulling sleds, but occasionally also eaten and used in ritual activities. The size and shape of the early dogs resemble those of a Spitz, which lends support to the notion that the Finnish Spitz may have ancient origins.
Background: The African wolf, for which we herein recognise Canis lupaster Hemprich and Ehrenberg... more Background: The African wolf, for which we herein recognise Canis lupaster Hemprich and Ehrenberg, 1832 (Symbolae Physicae quae ex Itinere Africam Borealem er Asoam Occidentalem Decas Secunda. Berlin, 1833) as the valid species name (we consider the older name Canis anthus Cuvier, 1820 [Le Chacal de Sénégal, Femelle. In: Geoffroy St.-Hilaire E, Cuvier F, editors. Histoire Naturelle des Mammifères Paris, A. Belin, 1820] a nomen dubium), is a medium-sized canid with wolf-like characters. Because of phenotypic similarity, specimens of African wolf have long been assigned to golden jackal (Canis aureus Linnaeus, 1758 [Systema Naturae per Regna Tria Naturae, Secundum Classes, Ordines, Genera, Species, cum Characteribus, Differentiis, Synonymis, Locis. Tomus I. Editio decima, reformata, 1758]). Results: Here we provide, through rigorous morphological analysis, a species description for this taxonomically overlooked species. Through molecular sequencing we assess its distribution in Africa, which remains uncertain due to confusion regarding possible co-occurrence with the Eurasian golden jackal. Canis lupaster differs from all other Canis spp. including the golden jackal in its cranial morphology, while phylogenetically it shows close affinity to the Holarctic grey wolf (Canis lupus Linnaeus, 1758 [Systema Naturae per Regna Tria Naturae, Secundum Classes, Ordines, Genera, Species, cum Characteribus, Differentiis, Synonymis, Locis. Tomus I. Editio decima, reformata, 1758]). All sequences generated during this study clustered with African wolf specimens, consistent with previous data for the species. Conclusions: We suggest that the estimated current geographic range of golden jackal in Africa represents the African wolf range. Further research is needed in eastern Egypt, where a hybrid zone between Eurasian golden jackal and African wolf may exist. Our results highlight the need for improved studies of geographic range and population surveys for the taxon, which is classified as ‘least concern’ by the IUCN due to its erroneous identification as golden jackal. As a species exclusively distributed in Africa, investigations of the biology and threats to African wolf are needed
Revista del Centro de Estudios Históricos de Granada y su Reino, 2020
espanolEn este trabajo se resumen los estudios llevados a cabo en los distintos yacimientos arque... more espanolEn este trabajo se resumen los estudios llevados a cabo en los distintos yacimientos arqueopaleontologicos de Orce durante las ultimas decadas, haciendo especial hincapie en los resultados obtenidos a raiz de las ultimas campanas de excavacion (2017-2020), enmarcadas en el Proyecto General de Investigacion «Primeras ocupaciones humanas y contexto paleoecologico a partir de los depositos Pliopleistocenos de la cuenca Guadix-Baza. Zona Arqueologica de la cuenca de Orce». Los trabajos realizados en estos ultimos anos son una buena muestra del enfoque inter e intradisciplinar de la Prehistoria, y evidencian ademas que, aunque se lleve trabajando en los yacimientos de Orce casi 50 anos, estos siguen proporcionando datos muy interesantes acerca del contexto del poblamiento humano de Europa en las etapas mas antiguas del Pleistoceno. EnglishThis work summarizes the research carried out at the Orce archaeopalaeontological sites over the last few decades with particular emphasis on th...
We have recently reviewed the later Miocene (MN 6-13; ca 15-5 Ma ago) primates, hipparions, rhino... more We have recently reviewed the later Miocene (MN 6-13; ca 15-5 Ma ago) primates, hipparions, rhinocerotids, suoids and carnivores of Europe and the eastern Mediterranean. This work is still unpublished and analyses are underway, but a preliminary indication of some coarse patterns is given here for the sample consisting of the groups listed above: 1) There is a clear-cut difference between western and Central Europe on one hand and the eastern Mediterranean on the other. This is especially clear for species richness, which shows a rising trend throughout the Vallesian and earlier Turolian for the eastern regions and a falling trend for the western ones. 2) The major drops in species richness occurred between MN 6 and MN 7, between MN 9 and MN 10, and between MN 12 and MN 13. Of these, the "mid-Vallesian crisis" (MN 9-10) seems to have been entirely absent in the eastern Mediterranean, where species richness rose sharply during this interval. Correspondingly, the drop in MN ...
Venta Micena is an area containing several palaeontological sites marking the beginning of the Ca... more Venta Micena is an area containing several palaeontological sites marking the beginning of the Calabrian stage (Early Pleistocene). The richness of the fossil accumulation including species of Asian, African and European origin, makes Venta Micena a key site for the the palaeoecological and palaeoenvironmental study of southern Europe during the Early Pleistocene. Thus, research has been focused on Venta Micena 3, which was originally interpreted as a single palaeosurface associated with a marshy context, in which most of the fauna was accumulated by Pachycrocuta brevirostris. Recent excavations have unearthed a new site, Venta Micena 4, located in the same stratigraphic unit (Unit C) and in close proximity to Venta Micena 3. Here we show the first analyses regarding the taphonomic and spatial nature of this new site, defining two stratigraphic boundaries corresponding to two different depositional events. Furthermore, the taphonomic analyses of fossil remains seem to indicate a dif...
Development of dental abnormalities due to improper occlusal wear is common among modern domestic... more Development of dental abnormalities due to improper occlusal wear is common among modern domestic horses. This phenomenon often is attributed to jaw conformation. Rostral mandibular hooks may develop in horses with underjet or mandibular prognathism, a condition where the lower jaw protrudes forward, beyond the upper jaw. Less abrasive diet, free of phytoliths and matrix-like plant fibers, also may promote enamel and focal overgrowths of equine dentition. Here we report a rostral mandibular hook in a lower premolar tooth of a medieval horse, found in a spring deposit in Levänluhta, Osthrobothnia, Finland. To our knowledge, this is the first such report from a medieval horse.
ABSTRACT Mammalian carnivores adhere to two different
feeding strategies relative to their body m... more ABSTRACT Mammalian carnivores adhere to two different feeding strategies relative to their body masses. Large carnivores prey on animals that are the same size or larger than themselves, whereas small carnivores prey on smaller vertebrates and invertebrates. The Eurasian lynx (Lynx lynx) falls in between these two categories. Lynx descend from larger forms that were probably large prey specialists, but during the Pleistocene became predators of small prey. The modern Eurasian lynx may be an evolutionary reversal toward specializing in large prey again. We hypothesized that the musculoskeletal anatomy of lynx should show traits for catching large prey. To test our hypothesis, we dissected the forelimb muscles of six Eurasian lynx individuals and compared our findings to results published for other felids. We measured the bones and compared their dimensions to the published material. Our material displayed a well-developed pectoral girdle musculature with some uniquely extensive muscle attachments. The upper arm musculature resembled that of the pantherine felids and probably the extinct sabertooths, and also the muscles responsible for supination and pronation were similar to those in large cats. The muscles controlling the pollex were welldeveloped. However, skeletal indices were similar to those of small prey predators. Our findings show that lynx possess the topographic pattern of muscle origin and insertion like in large felids. J. Morphol. 000:000– 000, 2016. VC 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
The earliest dog finds in Finland are nearly as old as the evidence of human occupation in Finlan... more The earliest dog finds in Finland are nearly as old as the evidence of human occupation in Finland, more than 10 000 years. Although scarce and mainly burnt and poorly preserved, dog bones are present in southern Finland throughout the Stone Age. In northern Finland, however, dogs are absent in palaeofauna. Dog bones are present at Iron Age sites, where they are found in both occupational contexts and burials. Dog bones from Iron Age burials are mainly burnt, but those from occupational sites are unburnt, as are those found at Historical Period sites. Early dogs probably aided in seal and elk hunt and were also used for pulling sleds, but occasionally also eaten and used in ritual activities. The size and shape of the early dogs resemble those of a Spitz, which lends support to the notion that the Finnish Spitz may have ancient origins.
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Papers by Suvi Viranta
feeding strategies relative to their body masses.
Large carnivores prey on animals that are the same
size or larger than themselves, whereas small carnivores
prey on smaller vertebrates and invertebrates.
The Eurasian lynx (Lynx lynx) falls in between these
two categories. Lynx descend from larger forms that
were probably large prey specialists, but during the
Pleistocene became predators of small prey. The modern
Eurasian lynx may be an evolutionary reversal
toward specializing in large prey again. We hypothesized
that the musculoskeletal anatomy of lynx should
show traits for catching large prey. To test our hypothesis,
we dissected the forelimb muscles of six Eurasian
lynx individuals and compared our findings to results
published for other felids. We measured the bones and
compared their dimensions to the published material.
Our material displayed a well-developed pectoral girdle
musculature with some uniquely extensive muscle
attachments. The upper arm musculature resembled
that of the pantherine felids and probably the extinct
sabertooths, and also the muscles responsible for supination
and pronation were similar to those in large
cats. The muscles controlling the pollex were welldeveloped.
However, skeletal indices were similar to
those of small prey predators. Our findings show that
lynx possess the topographic pattern of muscle origin
and insertion like in large felids. J. Morphol. 000:000–
000, 2016. VC 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
feeding strategies relative to their body masses.
Large carnivores prey on animals that are the same
size or larger than themselves, whereas small carnivores
prey on smaller vertebrates and invertebrates.
The Eurasian lynx (Lynx lynx) falls in between these
two categories. Lynx descend from larger forms that
were probably large prey specialists, but during the
Pleistocene became predators of small prey. The modern
Eurasian lynx may be an evolutionary reversal
toward specializing in large prey again. We hypothesized
that the musculoskeletal anatomy of lynx should
show traits for catching large prey. To test our hypothesis,
we dissected the forelimb muscles of six Eurasian
lynx individuals and compared our findings to results
published for other felids. We measured the bones and
compared their dimensions to the published material.
Our material displayed a well-developed pectoral girdle
musculature with some uniquely extensive muscle
attachments. The upper arm musculature resembled
that of the pantherine felids and probably the extinct
sabertooths, and also the muscles responsible for supination
and pronation were similar to those in large
cats. The muscles controlling the pollex were welldeveloped.
However, skeletal indices were similar to
those of small prey predators. Our findings show that
lynx possess the topographic pattern of muscle origin
and insertion like in large felids. J. Morphol. 000:000–
000, 2016. VC 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.