First digital study of the frontal sinus of stem-Canini (Canidae, Carnivora): evolutionary and ecological insights throughout advanced diagnostic in paleobiology

Introduction The phylogenetic and ecological importance of paranasal sinuses in carnivorans was highlighted by several previous authors, mostly extant species. Nevertheless, no specific study on this feature canids, one fossil representatives the family, has been published up to now. Here, we analyze for first time sinus canids through computed tomographic techniques characterize them morphologically morphometrically, making inferences. Methods To do so, applied an innovative deformation-based morphometric approach. Results results obtained species highlight a remarkable correlation between morphology ecomorphotypes previously defined some scholars (namely hypercarnivorous group-hunters; small-prey hypercarnivores, mesocarnivores, hypocarnivores). Our thus support direct relationship diet preferences development frontal canids. Regarding specimens, reconstructed three Eucyon compared it those living forms. Discussion best-preserved specimen, only known cranium adoxus dated Late Pliocene Saint-Estève (France), displayed similarities with group-hunter large prominences. Given that overall craniodental E. suggests acted as small prey hypercarnivore—similar Canis simensis —the aforementioned affinities might have evolved independently, relation high stresses during feeding. Overall, our demonstrates morphological inspection geometric morphometrics complement each other allow thorough investigation shape variability, enabling ultimate goal inferring their preferences.