Mustelids (Carnivora, Mammalia) from Monte Tuttavista fissure fillings (Early and Middle Pleistocene; Orosei, Sardinia): Taxonomy and evolution of the insular Sardinian Galictini

摘要: Abstract The insular environment of Sardinia is renowned for its extensive palaeontological Palaeogene record, extending from the Eocene until recent times. In Sardinia, one most important localities Quaternary faunas fillings karst fissures Monte Tuttavista site complex, which contain an impressive amount fossil remains around 70 vertebrate taxa. Several studies that have examined network fissure cavities and their fossils revealed some issues regarding biochronological ordering, as well peculiarities in recovered faunal associations (such presence several carnivores). this study, we analysed record two large mustelids site, genera Pannonictis Enhydrictis. Our analyses point out singular morphological morphometric features these taxa suggest attribution to new species, baroniensis nov. sp. Enhydrictis praegalictoides proportions robust morphologies P. baroniensis resemble those other European taxa, such P. pliocaenica, although dentognatic cranial exclude a conspecific identity with previously known Conversely, E. praegalictoides represents earliest member genus shows mixed pattern derived are shared peculiar E. galictoides Middle-Late Pleistocene Sardinian localities, more primitive characteristics do not occur endemic mustelid. Considering controversial debate evolutionary history tribe Galictini, species expands our knowledge systematics biogeography galictines enriches diversity during Early Middle Pleistocene.