Dire wolf, CANISDIRUS (mammalia; Carnivora; canidae), from the late pleistocene (rancholabrean) of east-central sonora, mexico

Publication Type:Journal Article
Year of Publication:2009
Authors:Hodnett, J, Mead, J, Baez, A
Journal:Southwestern Naturalist
Volume:54
Pagination:74-81
Date Published:2009
Keywords:Canidae, Canis lupus, CARNIVORA, MAMMALIA
Abstract:

We describe the first occurrence of the extinct dire wolf, Canis dims, from the late Pleistocene deposits of east-central Sonora, Mexico. Remains include a partially complete left mandible and a left distal fragment of humerus collected from the deposits at Terapa. Local environments are interpreted to have been a tropical marsh with thorn-scrub to deciduous forest including some component of a nearby grassland. Although the mandible is nearer to the size of other large species of Canis known to occur in Mexico, the deep and robust mandible, presence of an accessory cuspid on the p2, an enlarged and robust p4, and accessory cuspids on the posterior margin of the trigonicl ally the Canis from Terapa with C. dims. Length of p4 suggests a possible closer affiliation to C. d. guildayi than to C. d. dims.

Taxonomic name: 
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Scratchpads developed and conceived by (alphabetical): Ed Baker, Katherine Bouton Alice Heaton Dimitris Koureas, Laurence Livermore, Dave Roberts, Simon Rycroft, Ben Scott, Vince Smith