Early dispersal and niche partitioning in Canidae from an Early Pleistocene site of Spain (Fonelas P-1, Guadix-Baza basin, Granada)

Abstract

The Fonelas P-1 site in southern Spain (~2.0 Ma) offers an exceptional window into the Early Pleistocene canid diversity and ecology in Europe. This study identifies two medium-sized canid morphotypes from the site, corresponding to the species Canis arnensis Del Campana, 1913 and Canis etruscus Forsyth Major, 1877. Morphological and ecomorphological analyses, integrating cranial, dental, and mandibular features, confirm their taxonomic identities and ecological differentiation. Canis arnensis at Fonelas P-1 expands the geographic and temporal range of this species, providing robust evidence of its presence in southern Europe before 2 Ma. The co-occurrence of C. arnensis and C. etruscus at this well-dated site underscores their ecological divergence, with C. arnensis exhibiting a mesocarnivorous dietary niche and C. etruscus showing adaptations closer to hypercarnivory. These findings illuminate the complexity of Early Pleistocene canid guilds, offering critical insights into their dispersal patterns, adaptive strategies, and interactions within taphocenoses.