The Fox from Bajiazui (Qingyang, Central China) and an Update on Early Pleistocene Foxes from China
(1) Background: despite the fact that nowadays the genus <i>Vulpes</i> Frisch, 1775, is the most diverse among extant Canidae, its fossil record is utterly scarce, especially in the Asian Pliocene. The sparse nature of this record further complicates the reconstruction of the evolutionar...
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MDPI AG
2023-11-01
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| Series: | Quaternary |
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| Online Access: | https://www.mdpi.com/2571-550X/6/4/57 |
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| author | Saverio Bartolini-Lucenti Qigao Jiangzuo Hao Jiang Zhaoyu Li Kun Xie Joan Madurell-Malapeira |
| author_facet | Saverio Bartolini-Lucenti Qigao Jiangzuo Hao Jiang Zhaoyu Li Kun Xie Joan Madurell-Malapeira |
| author_sort | Saverio Bartolini-Lucenti |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | (1) Background: despite the fact that nowadays the genus <i>Vulpes</i> Frisch, 1775, is the most diverse among extant Canidae, its fossil record is utterly scarce, especially in the Asian Pliocene. The sparse nature of this record further complicates the reconstruction of the evolutionary scenario to fit these taxa with extant species. The situation seems to change slightly in the Early Pleistocene when two species are recorded: <i>Vulpes alopecoides</i> (Del Campana, 1913) in Europe and <i>Vulpes chikushanensis</i>, Young, 1930, in Asian localities. Unlike the former, which has an extensive record, the remains of the Chinese <i>V. chikushanensis</i> are sporadic and the validity of the taxon has also been questioned. (2) Methods: the study of the specimens from the Early Pleistocene site of Bajiazui (1.8–1.2 Ma, Qingyang, Gansu) in comparison to an extensive sample of <i>Vulpes</i> spp. The Pliocene–Early Pleistocene is relevant for the delimitation of fossil foxes variability; (3) Results: morphologically and morphometrically, the specimens of Bajiazui fit with the specimens of <i>V. chikushanensis</i> from other Chinese localities of the Early Pleistocene, e.g., Longdan (Gansu) and Huiyu (Fangshang), highlighting some difference with the latest Early Pleistocene forms of Jigushan fox; (4) Conclusions: the revision of the Asian fossil record of <i>Vulpes</i> is crucial in our attempt to understand and reconstruct the evolution of carnivoran guild during the late Early Pleistocene (1.8–0.8 Ma). The fox remains from Bajiazui, although fragmentary, add a valuable piece to our knowledge of <i>V. chikushanensis</i>, a species possibly strongly related to the extant <i>Vulpes corsac</i> (Linnaeus, 1768). |
| first_indexed | 2024-03-08T20:25:30Z |
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| institution | Directory Open Access Journal |
| issn | 2571-550X |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2024-03-08T20:25:30Z |
| publishDate | 2023-11-01 |
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| series | Quaternary |
| spelling | doaj.art-e55e37b705cc41ddb7b6e6c9ce2dba2c2023-12-22T14:38:09ZengMDPI AGQuaternary2571-550X2023-11-01645710.3390/quat6040057The Fox from Bajiazui (Qingyang, Central China) and an Update on Early Pleistocene Foxes from ChinaSaverio Bartolini-Lucenti0Qigao Jiangzuo1Hao Jiang2Zhaoyu Li3Kun Xie4Joan Madurell-Malapeira5Earth Science Department, University of Florence, 50121 Florence, ItalyKey Laboratory of Vertebrate Evolution and Human Origins of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Institute of Vertebrate Paleontology and Paleoanthropology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100044, ChinaKey Laboratory of Vertebrate Evolution and Human Origins of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Institute of Vertebrate Paleontology and Paleoanthropology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100044, ChinaState Key Laboratory of Continental Dynamics, Department of Geology, Institute of Cenozoic Geology and Environment, Northwest University, Xi’an 710069, ChinaState Key Laboratory of Continental Dynamics, Department of Geology, Institute of Cenozoic Geology and Environment, Northwest University, Xi’an 710069, ChinaEarth Science Department, University of Florence, 50121 Florence, Italy(1) Background: despite the fact that nowadays the genus <i>Vulpes</i> Frisch, 1775, is the most diverse among extant Canidae, its fossil record is utterly scarce, especially in the Asian Pliocene. The sparse nature of this record further complicates the reconstruction of the evolutionary scenario to fit these taxa with extant species. The situation seems to change slightly in the Early Pleistocene when two species are recorded: <i>Vulpes alopecoides</i> (Del Campana, 1913) in Europe and <i>Vulpes chikushanensis</i>, Young, 1930, in Asian localities. Unlike the former, which has an extensive record, the remains of the Chinese <i>V. chikushanensis</i> are sporadic and the validity of the taxon has also been questioned. (2) Methods: the study of the specimens from the Early Pleistocene site of Bajiazui (1.8–1.2 Ma, Qingyang, Gansu) in comparison to an extensive sample of <i>Vulpes</i> spp. The Pliocene–Early Pleistocene is relevant for the delimitation of fossil foxes variability; (3) Results: morphologically and morphometrically, the specimens of Bajiazui fit with the specimens of <i>V. chikushanensis</i> from other Chinese localities of the Early Pleistocene, e.g., Longdan (Gansu) and Huiyu (Fangshang), highlighting some difference with the latest Early Pleistocene forms of Jigushan fox; (4) Conclusions: the revision of the Asian fossil record of <i>Vulpes</i> is crucial in our attempt to understand and reconstruct the evolution of carnivoran guild during the late Early Pleistocene (1.8–0.8 Ma). The fox remains from Bajiazui, although fragmentary, add a valuable piece to our knowledge of <i>V. chikushanensis</i>, a species possibly strongly related to the extant <i>Vulpes corsac</i> (Linnaeus, 1768).https://www.mdpi.com/2571-550X/6/4/57<i>Vulpes</i>carnivoraeastern AsiaPleistocene |
| spellingShingle | Saverio Bartolini-Lucenti Qigao Jiangzuo Hao Jiang Zhaoyu Li Kun Xie Joan Madurell-Malapeira The Fox from Bajiazui (Qingyang, Central China) and an Update on Early Pleistocene Foxes from China Quaternary <i>Vulpes</i> carnivora eastern Asia Pleistocene |
| title | The Fox from Bajiazui (Qingyang, Central China) and an Update on Early Pleistocene Foxes from China |
| title_full | The Fox from Bajiazui (Qingyang, Central China) and an Update on Early Pleistocene Foxes from China |
| title_fullStr | The Fox from Bajiazui (Qingyang, Central China) and an Update on Early Pleistocene Foxes from China |
| title_full_unstemmed | The Fox from Bajiazui (Qingyang, Central China) and an Update on Early Pleistocene Foxes from China |
| title_short | The Fox from Bajiazui (Qingyang, Central China) and an Update on Early Pleistocene Foxes from China |
| title_sort | fox from bajiazui qingyang central china and an update on early pleistocene foxes from china |
| topic | <i>Vulpes</i> carnivora eastern Asia Pleistocene |
| url | https://www.mdpi.com/2571-550X/6/4/57 |
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