Article (Scientific journals)
On the morphology of the astragalus and calcaneus of the amphicyonids (Carnivora, Mammalia) from the Paleogene of Europe: implications for the ecology of the European bear-dogs
Fournier, Mégane; Ladevèze, Sandrine; Le Verger, Kevin et al.
2020In Geodiversitas, 42 (18), p. 305-325
Peer reviewed
 

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Fournier&al2020 On the morphology of the astragalus and calcaneus of the amphicyonids (Carnivora, Mammalia) from the Paleogene of Europe: implications for the ecology of the European bear-dogs.pdf
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Keywords :
Caniformia; Quercy; France; Eocene; Oligocene; Diet; Posture; Locomotion
Abstract :
[en] The Paleogene mammals of Europe are rarely known from partial or complete skeletons. As a result, their systematics and ecology are often solely based on dental characters and postcranial remains, when available, are usually neglected. This explains why the locomotion of mammals of the Eocene-Oligocene transition, the “Grande Coupure”, is poorly known. The aim of this study is to describe the tarsal bones (astragali and calcanei) and characterize the locomotion of amphicyonid carnivorans, one of the most abundant mammalian predator groups from the Phosphorites du Quercy (France) sites. The identification of taxa and the characterization of both posture and locomotion were carried out using four criteria: relative abundance (in comparison with dental data), morphology, size, and body mass. Seven morphotypes, four among astragali and three among calcanei, are identified as Amphicyonidae and show various postures: plantigrade, semi-digitigrade, and digitigrade. One morphotype of the astragalus and one of the calcaneus are identified as Cynodictis lacustris Gervais, 1852, which exhibits a digitigrade posture. The study of postcranial bones, such as tarsals, allows for a better understanding of the ecology of these animals and deserves more interest in future morphological and phylogenetic studies.
Disciplines :
Zoology
Earth sciences & physical geography
Author, co-author :
Fournier, Mégane
Ladevèze, Sandrine
Le Verger, Kevin
Fischer, Valentin  ;  Université de Liège - ULiège > Département de géologie > Evolution and diversity dynamics lab
Speijer, Robert P
Solé, Floréal
Language :
English
Title :
On the morphology of the astragalus and calcaneus of the amphicyonids (Carnivora, Mammalia) from the Paleogene of Europe: implications for the ecology of the European bear-dogs
Publication date :
2020
Journal title :
Geodiversitas
ISSN :
1280-9659
eISSN :
1638-9395
Publisher :
Museum National d'Histoire Naturelle, France
Special issue title :
Memorial to Stéphane Peigné: Carnivores (Hyaenodonta and Carnivora) of the Cenozoic
Volume :
42
Issue :
18
Pages :
305-325
Peer reviewed :
Peer reviewed
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since 02 October 2020

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