Digital endocasts from two late Eocene carnivores shed light on the evolution of the brain at the origin of Carnivora

The evolution of the brain at origin Carnivora remains poorly understood, largely owing to limited number cranial endocasts known from Carnivoramorpha and basal crown Carnivora. Here, we use x-ray computed tomography create digital two early carnivores, Quercygale angustidens Gustafsonia cognita. is generally regarded as sister taxon Nimravidae thus great interest further our understanding evolutionary changes that occurred cognita provides a comparison contemporary carnivoran. We describe these taxa, placing them in context carnivoramorphan phylogeny. Both preserve cerebellum detail, resulting better morphology this part carnivores. cognita, despite its small size, geological age position, displays sulcal pattern typical Amphicyonidae, reaffirming position within family. Nimravids; carnivorans, such Proailurus lemanensis Hesperocyon gregarius, have more expanded neocortices than angustidens. Current evidence suggests increase gyrification mainly through elongation existing sulci entered new phase Additional appeared members order, distinctive patterns different carnivoran families. Nevertheless, carnivorans carnivoramorphans are needed understand processes driving group.