A new lynx mandible from the Early Pleistocene of Spain (La Puebla de Valverde, Teruel) and a taxonomical multivariate approach of medium-sized felids

The fossil record of lynxes provides clear evidence a large range across the North Hemisphere during Pliocene and Pleistocene. However, their origin, systematics evolutionary relationships are still fraught with difficulties controversy. Here we report complete hemimandible medium-sized felid from Early Pleistocene (MN17, middle Villafranchian, 2.05 Ma) site La Puebla de Valverde (Teruel, Spain). Based on comparative multivariate analyses lower dentition 458 individuals Lynx, Caracal Leptailurus, confidently ascribe remains to Lynx aff. issiodorensis. Although dental proportions somewhat different those Eurasian L. issiodorensis (smaller canines more elongated p4/m1), shows affinities Issoire lynx contemporaneous Saint Vallier (France), sharing similar morphology mandible, reduced canines, long m1. We further test hypothesis that examines presence African/Asian in European Plio/Pleistocene for C. depereti issiodorensis, discard attribution into Caracal. This mandible extends genus contributes update our understanding lineage its variability within record.