A Pathological Late Pleistocene canid from San Sidero (Italy): implications for social- and feeding-behaviour

摘要: Evidence of diseases on vertebrate fossil bones can provide detailed information many aspects extinct animals. This study focused pathological craniodental remains (left maxilla and dentary) referred to the canid Cuon alpinus unearthed from a Late Pleistocene karst filling deposit at San Sidero (Apulia, southern Italy). These fossils show clear evidence chronic periodontitis that caused animal’s death. Clinical diagnosis disease timing its development have been defined basis veterinary odontostomatology approach, in addition radiographic tomographic techniques. From initiation infection until death, time span least 6 months occurred, three main steps defined: (1) bacterial infections buccal cavity turning into severe periodontitis, (2) fracture lower carnassial (3) loss teeth due worsening deformed and/or eroded maxillary mandibular enlarged alveoli. The analysis palaeopathology also provides about biomechanics bite, feeding behaviour relationships injured members pack canids.