Patagonian partnerships: the extinct Dusicyon avus and its interaction with prehistoric human communities

Author:

Abbona Cinthia C.1ORCID,Lebrasseur Ophélie2,Prevosti Francisco J.3,Peralta Eva1,González Venanzi Lucio4,Frantz Laurent5,Larson Greger2ORCID,Gil Adolfo F.1,Neme Gustavo A.1

Affiliation:

1. Instituto de Evolución, Ecología Histórica y Ambiente (IDEVEA), UTN-CONICET, Avenue Gral. Urquiza 314, CP5600, San Rafael , Mendoza, Argentina

2. Palaeogenomics and Bio-Archaeology Research Network, School of Archaeology, University of Oxford , Oxford OX1 3TG, UK

3. Museo de Ciencias Antropológicas y Naturales, Universidad Nacional de La Rioja (UNLaR), Avenue Luis M. de la Fuente S/N , La Rioja 5300, Argentina

4. Div. Arqueología, Anexo Museo, Laboratory 128 (FCNyM-UNLP), La Plata, Argentina, FHumyAr (UNR) , Rosario, Argentina

5. Graduate School Life Science Munich, Faculty of Biology/Biocenter, Grosshadernerstr, 2-4, 82152 Planegg-Martinsried , Munich, Germany

Abstract

The southern Mendoza province, located in the northern region of Patagonia, was inhabited by hunter-gatherer groups until historic times. Previous archaeological studies have reported canid remains among faunal assemblages, which were assumed to be part of the human diet. However, the taxonomic identification and significance of these canids within human groups have raised questions. In this study, we used ancient DNA analysis, morphological examination and stable isotope analysis (δ 13 C col and δ 15 N) to re-evaluate the taxonomic assignment of a canid discovered at the Late Holocene burial site of Cañada Seca. Previous morphological identifications suggested that it belonged to the genus Lycalopex , but our results conclusively demonstrate that the individual belongs to the extinct fox species Dusicyon avus . This finding expands Dusicyon avus’ known geographical distribution to Patagonia’s northern extremity. Furthermore, statistical predictions based on genetic divergence undermine the hypothesis that hybridization between Canis and Dusicyon , facilitated by the introduction of domestic dogs, played a role in the extinction of Dusicyon species. On the other hand, our findings indicate that a Dusicyon avus individual shared a similar diet and was probably buried alongside humans, suggesting a close relationship between the two species during their lives and deaths.

Funder

Agencia Nacional de Promotion Cientifica PICT

ERC

Publisher

The Royal Society

Reference87 articles.

1. IUCN . The IUCN red list of threatened species. Version 2022-2. See https://www.iucnredlist.org

2. Mittermeier RA , Wilson DE . 2009 Handbook of the mammals of the world: vol. 1: carnivores. Gland, Switzerland: IUCN: International Union for Conservation of Nature.

3. Evolution of South American Mammalian Predators During the Cenozoic: Paleobiogeographic and Paleoenvironmental Contingencies

4. Human-canid relationship in the Americas: an examination of canid biological attributes and domestication

5. Extinctions in near time: new radiocarbon dates point to a very recent disappearance of the South American foxDusicyon avus(Carnivora: Canidae)

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