The small Canidae from Cuvieri Cave (Quaternary, Pleistocene), Lagoa Santa, Eastern Brazil

Abstract

The Lagoa Santa region is an important karst complex, known for its large number of caves containing abundant fossil and subfossil osteological material. Among the Pleistocene fossils identified in this important area are various paleovertebrate remains, including members of the order Carnivora. This study describes two fragmented dentaries from a small Canidae of the genus Speothos, found in Cuvieri Cave. The specimens likely belonged to the same individual, whose first molar had not yet erupted, indicating that it was a juvenile. Although the presence of canids has previously been reported in the region, this is the first identification of Speothos in the Pleistocene deposits of Cuvieri Cave. It is believed that the animal entered the cave in search of prey, such as rodents and other mammals present at the site, and eventually became trapped within the cavity.

Keywords: Speothos, Carnivora, Cuvieri Cave, taxonomy, mammals.