Not a jaguar after all? Phylogenetic affinities and morphology of the Pleistocene felid<i>Panthera gombaszoegensis</i>

Panthera gombaszoegensis is a fossil pantherine from the Pleistocene of Eurasia. It has been considered to be closest ancestor jaguar (Panthera onca) due dental similarities, and even sometimes subspecies jaguar. However, our knowledge this taxon limited by scarcity cranial remains, which made it difficult properly assess phylogenetic affinities possible ecological role taxon. Here, we describe new cranium P. Belgium, present morphometric analysis dentition extinct extant pantherines. Whereas lower similar that onca, similarities were not recovered in other parts skull. Some traits resemble those pantherines, especially larger species such as tiger (P. tigris), while some taxa lion leo) leopard pardus) skull suggest diet adapted wide prey spectrum. The first ever assessment placement places closer tigris than considerably simplifies biogeographic history