Analysis of the Blancan Procyonids of Florida

<p>Procyonids are well known biologically but knowledge of their fossil record is comparatively sparse. This study seeks to describe a sample of late Blancan procyonid fossils composed mostly of postcranial and dental material. Fossils are analyzed using linear and 2D geometric morphometrics and compared with a large sample of modern specimens from a wide geographic area to understand the range of intraspecific variation. The large <em>Procyon </em>species is described as a new taxon based on morphology of the postcrania and lower dentition, while another <em>Procyon </em>species is also described as new due to an apomorphy in the upper dentition. A new species of coati (genus <em>Nasua)</em> is identified and described based on lower dentition and postcranial morphology. The Blancan species <em>P. rexroadensis</em> is synonymized with <em>P. lotor </em>because the distinguishing dental feature for which the species is named is within the range of variation for <em>P. lotor.</em></p>

Name thesis:degree_name

MS (Master of Science)

Level thesis:degree_level

Thesis - unrestricted

Discipline thesis:degree_discipline

Geosciences

Year dc:date.issued

2013

Author dc:creator

• Gilmore, Laura S

• Procyon
• Nasua
• Procyon rexroadensis
• Blancan
• Florida
• Morphometrics
• Paleobiology
• Paleontology

Statement dc:rights

• Copyright by the authors.

Repository record dc:identifier

https://dc.etsu.edu/etd/1127

OAI identifier oai:identifier

oai:dc.etsu.edu:etd-2327