Critical analysis of the success of the Carnivore mammals in the early days (CARNAGES)

Why are we surrounded by only one group of placental carnivorous mammals (Carnivora: the present-day lions, dogs, bears, and seals among others) today, while at least three other groups of placental mammals (Hyaenodonta, Mesonychia, Oxyaenidae) were in competition with carnivorans 50 million years ago? lt has been suggested, based on the North American fossil record, that the evolutionary success of carnivorans may have resulted from the broad range of dental adaptations (i.e. a broad variety of diets) conferred by the particular position of their carnassial teeth. However, our initial survey suggests that the results of this competition were diametrically opposed in North America and Europe: carnivorans were not as taxonomically successful in Europe during the Eocene. The present project proposes to document the evolutionary history of the ecology of carnivorous mammals that lived on our continent during the Paleogene (66-23 Myr). We hypothesize that an analysis of the ecomorphology of these carnivorous mammals will allow for a clearer understanding of the causes that could explain the greater success of hyaenodonts in Europe compared to North America.