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The Sardinian dhole (''Cynotherium sardous'') is an extinct 
The oldest fossils of the ''Cynotherium'' lineage on Sardinia, belonging to the species ''Cynotherium malatestai'' likely ancestral to ''C. sardous'' date to the Early-Middle Pleistocene transition, corresponding to faunal turnover between the older '' Nesogoral'' Faunal Complex and the younger '' Microtus'' ('' Tyrrhenicola'') faunal complex. The genomic analysis of a 21,000 year-old Sardinian dhole specimen indicates that the Sardinian dhole lineage and the Asian dhole lineage diverged from each other 885,000 years ago. Gene flow continued between the two lineages until between 500,000 and 300,000 years ago. The analysis showed low genomic diversity which may have led to the extinction of this dhole.
When the ancestor of this canid became confined to the island, its diet became limited to small and fast prey, such as rodents and rabbits. This lack of large prey caused the Sardinian dhole to evolve into a small sized (perhaps ) canid. This view of ''Cynotherium'' as a predator specializing in small, fast prey is supported by an examination of the animal's anatomy. The evolution of short, powerful limbs, a low neck carriage and increased head and neck mobility suggests an animal well suited for stalking and then quickly pouncing on or running down small prey.PDF copy
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ISPRA
Photo of ''Cynotherium sardous'' Canina (subtribe) Prehistoric mammals of Europe Fauna of Corsica Fauna of Sardinia Extinct mammals of Europe Pleistocene carnivorans Pleistocene extinctions Extinct canines Fossil taxa described in 1857 Mammals described in 1857 {{Paleo-carnivora-stub
insular
Insular is an adjective used to describe:
* An island
* Someone who is isolated and parochial
Insular may also refer to:
Sub-national territories or regions
* Insular Chile
* Insular region of Colombia
* Insular Ecuador, administratively known ...
canid which was endemic to what is now the Mediterranean islands of Sardinia ( Italy) and Corsica
Corsica ( , Upper , Southern ; it, Corsica; ; french: Corse ; lij, Còrsega; sc, Còssiga) is an island in the Mediterranean Sea and one of the 18 regions of France. It is the fourth-largest island in the Mediterranean and lies southeast of ...
( France), which were joined for much of the Pleistocene. It went extinct when humans began to settle on the island. Its scientific name means "dog-beast of Sardinia", the genus name from the and and the specific name Specific name may refer to:
* in Database management systems, a system-assigned name that is unique within a particular database
In taxonomy, either of these two meanings, each with its own set of rules:
* Specific name (botany), the two-part (bino ...
from the , alt. form of .
The oldest fossils of the ''Cynotherium'' lineage on Sardinia, belonging to the species ''Cynotherium malatestai'' likely ancestral to ''C. sardous'' date to the Early-Middle Pleistocene transition, corresponding to faunal turnover between the older '' Nesogoral'' Faunal Complex and the younger '' Microtus'' ('' Tyrrhenicola'') faunal complex. The genomic analysis of a 21,000 year-old Sardinian dhole specimen indicates that the Sardinian dhole lineage and the Asian dhole lineage diverged from each other 885,000 years ago. Gene flow continued between the two lineages until between 500,000 and 300,000 years ago. The analysis showed low genomic diversity which may have led to the extinction of this dhole.
When the ancestor of this canid became confined to the island, its diet became limited to small and fast prey, such as rodents and rabbits. This lack of large prey caused the Sardinian dhole to evolve into a small sized (perhaps ) canid. This view of ''Cynotherium'' as a predator specializing in small, fast prey is supported by an examination of the animal's anatomy. The evolution of short, powerful limbs, a low neck carriage and increased head and neck mobility suggests an animal well suited for stalking and then quickly pouncing on or running down small prey.PDF copy/ref>
See also
* List of extinct animals of Europe * Insular dwarfism * Corsican red deerReferences
External links
ISPRA
Photo of ''Cynotherium sardous'' Canina (subtribe) Prehistoric mammals of Europe Fauna of Corsica Fauna of Sardinia Extinct mammals of Europe Pleistocene carnivorans Pleistocene extinctions Extinct canines Fossil taxa described in 1857 Mammals described in 1857 {{Paleo-carnivora-stub