Morphometric and Paleobiological Insights Into Pleistocene Sicilian Wolf Populations

Abstract

The Pleistocene wolves (Canis lupus) from Sicily represent one of the few known insular populations of this species from that time period. Despite their potential relevance for understanding carnivore adaptations in insular contexts, no dedicated study has previously investigated their morphology and evolutionary significance. This study presents the first detailed analysis of Pleistocene wolf remains from Sicily, providing new insights into their morphometric variability and paleobiological implica tions. Fossil specimens from seven deposits in the north- western region of the island were analysed using a detailed morpho metric approach, including log- ratio diagrams and principal component analysis (PCA). Estimates of body mass and shoulder height were also obtained through multiple regression equations. The results reveal considerable variability in size and dental proportions among the Sicilian specimens, which span the range documented in coeval peninsular Italian populations. Notably, some individuals from Arena Cave display divergent dental patterns and pronounced tooth wear, possibly reflecting ecological specialisation or early domestication processes. While preliminary, these findings underscore the complexity of wolf populations in Pleistocene Sicily and provide a foundation for future investigations into their evolutionary history and ecological adaptations.