Scripta Geologica, 139 (November 2009)

The evolution of the brain in Canidae (Mammalia: Carnivora)

George A. Lyras

George A. Lyras, Museum of Palaeontology and Geology, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Panepistimiopolis, GR-15784 Zografos, Greece, glyras@geol.uoa.gr

Keywords: palaeoneurology, cerebral cortex, cortical folding, craniodental adaptations.


Abstract
Introduction
Materials and methods
Institutional abbreviations
History of research
The first canids and the Hesperocyoninae
Late Eocene: Prohesperocyon
Late Eocene - Early Oligocene: Hesperocyon
Oligocene - Early Miocene: Mesocyon, Cynodesmus, Enhydrocyon
Early Miocene: Osbornodon
Summary and conclusions concerning the Hesperocyoninae brain
The Borophaginae
Oligocene: Archaeocyon, Otarocyon, Rhizocyon
Oligocene - Early Miocene: Phlaocyon
Early Miocene: Desmocyon
Miocene: Paracynarctus
Miocene: Tomarctus, Microtomarctus, Aelurodon
Miocene-Pliocene: Paratomarctus, Carpocyon, Epicyon, Borophagus
Summary and conclusions concerning the Borophaginae brain
The Caninae
Oligocene - Miocene: Leptocyon
Miocene - Holocene: Vulpes, Urocyon and Otocyon
Miocene - Pliocene: Eucyon
Miocene - Holocene: Cerdocyon and Nyctereutes
Miocene - Holocene: Chrysocyon, Lycalopex, Dusicyon, Atelocynus and Speothos
Pliocene - Holocene: Canis, Xenocyon, Cynotherium, Lycaon and Cuon
Summary and conclusions concerning the brain of Caninae
Brain evolution and craniodental specialization
Conclusions
Acknowledgements
References
Appendix 1
Appendix 2
Appendix 3
Appendix 4.1
Appendix 4.2
Appendix 4.3