Pleistocene foxes (Vulpes, Canidae, Carnivora) from the Taurida Cave, Crimea

A mandible fragment and four isolated teeth of the fossil foxes, Vulpes alopecoides (Del Campana, 1913), Vulpes cf. vulpes (Linnaeus, 1758) and Vulpes sp., are described from the Early Pleistocene locality of Taurida cave (Crimea, Late Villafranchian, 1.8-1.5 Ma). Based on the size and morphological features, a mandible fragment and two M1 are attributed to V. alopecoides. The structure of m1 of Vulpes cf. vulpes is similar to that of V. vulpes and V. alopecoides, but the size greatly exceeds the size limits for the latter species. Although m1 of Vulpes sp. fits the size of the lower carnassials of V. alopecoides, its morphology is definitely unique among the Early Pleistocene representatives of the genus Vulpes.

Naming no names: Comments on the taxonomy of small piroplasmids in canids

Based on phylogenetic analyses, various taxonomic changes have recently been proposed for tick-transmitted small piroplasmids, including descriptions of new species. It is however essential that any such changes comply with the International Code of Zoological Nomenclature. Unfortunately, this has not been the case, and some recently proposed names are therefore invalid. The use of informal clade names is necessary until formal valid descriptions are available.