A festschrift in honour of Professor Jorge Morales

This volume honours Professor Jorge Morales – one of the world´s leading experts in fossil carnivorans, a great scholar, and inspiration of many to follow him in the discipline of palaeontology – to mark his recent retirement. In July 2021, Prof. Morales retired after 50 years working and building up a reputation not only as a leading scientist but also as a teacher, facilitator of science, and mentor. This festschrift celebrates his lifelong, outstanding scientific and cultural achievements to mammal palaeontology. It contains contributions by colleagues, former students, and friends that come from far and wide. Articles pay homage to the jubilarian´s research interests, covering the systematics, palaeoecology, biochronology, palaeobiogeography, taphonomy, and geoheritage. On the basis of the written acknowledgements, it is easy to recognise the affection and deep esteem Prof. Morales induces in everyone. If we think about him, our professional and personal lives would not be the same without his support, mentorship, friendship, and good humour. It is a proud privilege to thank him for his career in terms of production and excellence which without doubt placed Spanish palaeontology among the global elite. Prof. Morales is retired, but he remains active in research, and as inspiration to all of us.