The first record of Cuon alpinus (Pallas, 1811) from Poland and the possible impact of other large canids on the evolution of the species

Abstract

The presence of Cuon alpinus in Poland is documented here for the first time. Between 650 and 450 ka, Lycaon lycaonoides dominated the open lands, while Cuon alpinus priscus tended to prefer forests, mountains and highlands. Canis mosbachensis coexisted in all these environments. Between 480 and 430 ka, there was a drastic reduction in the number and range of L. lycaonoides. The balance between canids was disturbed and a critical point in the lycaon–wolf relationship was passed. Probably between 450 and 400 ka, the lycaon was too rare to be a real competitor and a limiting factor for the wolf. It was also at this time that the lycaon disappeared completely. With disappearance of the lycaon from Eurasia, there was a slow increase in the body size of the wolf. Between 400 and 300 ka, the dhole and the wolf were still close in body size, but the wolf was slowly increasing in size. Between 300 and 250 ka, the wolf became the dominant dog species and took a niche occupied until then by the lycaon. Because of competition, C. alpinus decreased in body size and adapted to hunting and living in forest, mountain and highland environments.

Frontiers of the Lower Palaeolithic expansion in Europe: Tunel Wielki Cave (Poland)

“…Co-occurring was the Mosbach wolf Canis mosbachensis, with the presence of individuals slightly larger and more robust than those known from European sites dated to MIS 15-12, such as Château Breccia, Hundsheim, Jockgrim, Mauer, Mosbach 2, Południowa Cave or Urd Cave. This slow increase in body size, very characteristic for the period MIS 12-11, was correlated with the decline and reduction of the competition pressure of lycaon 35 . Both species were found in layer J; additionally, Lycaon lycaonoides is present in layers I and O (Supplement Table S16 & Fig.…”

“…Among the carnivores, the immense Lycaon lycaonoides is present, the last occurrences of this species are recorded in Hungary and Poland around MIS 11 16,35,66 . Co-occurring was the Mosbach wolf Canis mosbachensis, with the presence of individuals slightly larger and more robust than those known from European sites dated to MIS 15-12, such as Château Breccia, Hundsheim, Jockgrim, Mauer, Mosbach 2, Południowa Cave or Urd Cave.…”

“…Simultaneously alongside those ancient carnivores, many African and Asian newcomers are present, whose presence is very useful for the biochronological analysis. The primitive dhole Cuon alpinus priscus, found in layer J2, appeared for the first time in Europe during MIS 15 35 . A broad analysis of the Eurasian material of the Pleistocene lion showed that the morphology of Panthera spelaea fossilis from Tunel Wielki Cave corresponds to those dated to MIS 20-12 (Fig.…”

“…Palaeontological remains. Large mammal remains, mainly carnivores, were studied in detail elsewhere 35,48,49,72 . For the recent papers, all the identified remains were attributed and divided by layers to check the working hypothesis of the Middle Pleistocene chronology of the layers containing archaeological artefacts.…”

THE FIRST RADIOCARBON-DATED REMAINS OF THE LEOPARD PANTHERA PARDUS (LINNAEUS, 1758) FROM THE PLEISTOCENE OF POLAND

“…The older, Late Pleistocene fauna is roughly dated at MIS 3, and it contains 23 species (Table 1, Table S2). The second, younger assemblage is dated at MIS 1 and includes 30 species (Table S2; Frenzel 1936Frenzel , 1937aFrenzel , 1937bPax 1937;Zotz 1937aZotz , 1937bZotz , 1939Zotz , 1951Kowalski 1954;Bieroński et al 1985Bieroński et al , 2007Bieroński et al , 2009Pulina 1996;Stefaniak and Bieroński 2009;Wiśniewski et al 2009;Marciszak et al 2016Marciszak et al , 20202021a, 2021b, 2021c.…”