Sardinian Dhole
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| Cynotherium sardous Studiati, 1857 |
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 Former range (in red)
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The Sardinian dhole Cynotherium sardous was an endemic insular canid [1], that occurred on the Italian island of Sardinia. It became extinct when humans began to settle on the island [2].
When this canid became confined to the island, it faced a menu consisting of small and fast prey only. It adapted into a small sized canid.[1]
It appears that Xenocyon is the ancestor of Cynotherium [1]. Sometimes it is also considered a derivation from a population of late Canis arnensis (or Canis mosbachensis).[3]
[edit] See also
[edit] References
- ^ a b c Lyras G.A., Van der Geer A.E., Dermitzakis M., De Vos J. (2006) Cynotherium sardous, an insular canid (Mammalia: Carnivora) from the Pleistocene of Sardinia (Italy), and its origin. Journal of Vertebrate Paleontology: Vol. 26, No. 3 pp. 735–745
- ^ Gippoliti, Spartaco & Amori, Giovanni. (2006) Ancient introductions of mammals in the Mediterranean Basin and their implications for conservation. Mammal Review 36 (1), 37-48.
- ^ Abbazzi L., M. Arca, C. Tuveri, L. Rook. The endemic canid Cynotherium (Mammalia, Carnivora) from the pleitocene deposits of Monte Tuttavista (Nuoro, Eastern Sardinia). Abbazzi L., M. Arca, C. Tuveri & L. Rook. (2005) The endemic canid Cynotherium (Mammalia, Carnivora) from the Pleistocene deposits of Monte Tuttavista (Nuoro, Eastern Sardinia). Rivista Italiana di Paleontologia e Stratigrafia. Vol. 111, nr. 3, 497.
