Dogs

Dogs by Xiaoming Wang and Richard H. Tedford encapsulates over 20 years of dedicated research into the evolutionary history of the family Canidae. Both authors are renowned for establishing the contemporary framework for understanding the evolutionary relationships among canids.

Through a collaboration with Mauricio Antón, whose reconstructions of both extinct and extant species bring the animals to life, Wang and Tedford offer a comprehensive and nuanced portrait of the origin and evolution of canids over the past 40 million years.

The narrative draws from cutting-edge scientific research conducted on vast collections housed at the American Museum of Natural History and other prestigious institutions. With a strong fossil record that is unparalleled among carnivorans, particularly those originating in North America, canids offer a detailed evolutionary history. This richness of data presents a natural history that is not readily available in many other carnivoran groups.

Thanks to their rich fossil record, varied adaptations to different environments, and diverse predatory specialisations, canids serve as an exemplary model organism for studying predator behaviour and morphological specialisations. They provide an intriguing contrast to felids, which exhibit extreme predatory specialisations.

The innovative illustrated approach in Dogs not only complements this significant branch of animal and fossil study but also transforms paleontological science into an engaging visual experience. The book serves as an unprecedented reference for anyone captivated by the fascinating world of dogs.