The influence of ecology and phylogeny on the canid frontal sinus
Frosali, Samuele (Università di Firenze. Museo di Geologia e Paleontologia)
Urciuoli, Alessandro (Institut Català de Paleontologia Miquel Crusafont)
Madurell-Malapeira, Joan (Università degli Studi di Firenze. Dipartimento di Scienze della Terra)
Rook, Lorenzo (Università degli Studi di Firenze. Dipartimento di Scienze della Terra)
Bartolini-Lucenti, Saverio (Institut Català de Paleontologia Miquel Crusafont)

Date:	2026
Abstract:	Despite the fact that a well-developed frontal sinus is an apomorphy evolved only in the subfamily Caninae, important ecological factors might have played a role in the development of this paranasal cavity. Here, we present the first analysis of the 3D morphology of three fossil species of the genus Canis using an innovative deformation-based morphometric approach. Our aim was to disentangle the relative contributions of phylogenetic relationships and ecological adaptations. Based on the reconstructed morphology of the fossil species sinuses, we were able to corroborate and to better reconstruct the palaeodiet of the analysed fossil taxa. In particular, the overall structure and morphology of the frontal sinus of Canis etruscus suggests a lower proportion of meat in its diet. This species also displays the most primitive morphology among the three fossil species analysed, indicating an ancestral condition within the Canina lineage. On the other hand, the sinus shape and size of Canis mosbachensis and Canis borjgali suggest a higher proportion of meat consumption. In particular, C. borjgali closely resembles the extant wolf (Canis lupus) condition and suggests a possible hypercarnivorous group-hunting adaptation. Our results thus indicate that ecology is the primary driver of frontal sinuses shape and size, whereas phylogeny accounts for differences at higher taxonomic levels (i. e. , subtribe level), highlighting how the analysis of this paranasal cavity can help in the further comprehension of both the paleoecology and phylogeny of fossil canids.
Note:	Altres ajuts: CERCA Programme/Generalitat de Catalunya
Rights:	Aquest document està subjecte a una llicència d'ús Creative Commons. Es permet la reproducció total o parcial, la distribució, la comunicació pública de l'obra i la creació d'obres derivades, fins i tot amb finalitats comercials, sempre i quan es reconegui l'autoria de l'obra original.
Language:	Anglès
Document:	Article ; recerca ; Versió publicada
Subject:	Canid ; Diet ; Frontal sinus ; Palaeoecology ; Phylogeny
Published in:	Journal of Mammalian Evolution, Vol. 33, Num. 2 (May 2026) , art. 26, ISSN 1573-7055

DOI: 10.1007/s10914-026-09819-1

23 p, 5.3 MB

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Research literature > UAB research groups literature > Research Centres and Groups (research output) > Experimental sciences > Institut Català de Paleontologia Miquel Crusafont (ICP)
Articles > Research articles
Articles > Published articles