The larger Carnivora of the West Runton Freshwater Bed

Abstract

A thorough review of available fossil material of the larger-sized carnivores from the West Runton Freshwater Bed (WRFB) is presented. Both previously-collected and new fossil materials, some from the 1995 mammoth excavation, are taken into consideration, with particular emphasis on taxonomic assignation. Measurement and morphological data on the fossil material are viewed in the light of the evolutionary history of the various lineages, with some interesting results. The ursid remains show a mosaic of both brown and cave bear characteristics, and for the present are classified as Ursus sp. The dog and hyaenid are identified as Canis mosbachensis and Crocuta crocuta, respectively, with possible additional presence of Pachycrocuta (see Appendix). Dental remains of a small cat are assigned to the wildcat lineage but differ from modern Felis silvestris and are tentatively referred to Felis lunensis. There is also evidence for a serval-like cat and an early record of lynx. Within the larger Felidae, fossil evidence of Homotherium latidens and Panthera gombaszoegensis is presented. The large size of the lion, Panthera leo, is confirmed but is considered unexceptional in the context of European Pleistocene lions. The palaeoecology and changing composition of the larger carnivore guild is discussed. The diverse WRFB fauna exemplifies a period of overlap between more archaic and modern assemblages.