Systematic revision of "Canis" ensenadensis Ameghino, 1888 from the Ensenadan of the locality of Ensenada, Buenos Aires, Argentina.

RAMIREZ, M. A.; PREVOSTI, F. J.

Ciudad Autonoma de Buenos Aires

Jornada; Jornadas Argentinas de Paleontologia de Vertebrados; 2012

“Canis” ensenadensis Ameghino was described based on an incomplete mandible (MLP 10-56) from the locality of Ensenada. The systematic position of this species has been discussedby several authors, mainly regarding its generic assignation. The species was originallydescribed under the genus Canis Linnaeus but later was included in the genus CerdocyonHamilton Smith. In the non published doctoral thesis of W. Berman of the end of the XXcentury it was included in Dusicyon Hamilton Smith sensu lato. But recent phylogeneticanalyses changed the nomenclature of South American Foxes and restricted Dusicyon to thetype species (D. australis Kerr) and one fossil (D. avus Burmeister). In this context werevaluated the systematics of “Canis” ensenadensis. We performed a qualitative comparisonwith several South American fox species. We also performed a Principal ComponentAnalysis using mandible and dental measurements, and then a geometric morphometryanalysis using photographs of the lateral view of the mandible. Our results show that“Canis” ensenadensis is a valid species, and that it should be included in LycalopexBurmeister.