Rhagapodemus sp.

Popov, Vasil V., 2004, Pliocene small mammals (Mammalia, Lipotyphla, Chiroptera, Lagomorpha, Rodentia) from Muselievo (North Bulgaria), Geodiversitas 26 (3), pp. 403-491 : 456

Rhagapodemus sp. ( Fig. 27I, J )

MATERIAL EXAMINED. — 3 M1 (Ms301, 302, 303).

MEASUREMENTS. — M1 (L × W) = 1.92 × 1.15; 1.90 × 1.20.

DESCRIPTION

Small first upper molars with structural details of occlusal surface, level of hypsodonty and wearing pattern entirely correspond to the characteristics of genus Rhagapodemus .

REMARKS

These three molars strongly resemble the M1 of the above species, however they are definitely smaller. In the same time, they are larger than the respective molars of Rhagapodemus ballesioi Mein & Michaux, 1970 , but are nearly identical with Rh. cf. ballesioi from Gundersheim-4 ( Germany), ( Fejfar & Storch 1990). The length and width of the teeth available fall near to the lower limit of variability of Rhagapodemus hautimagnensis from the early Ruscinian of Greece ( Van de Weerd 1979). Since the material available is too limited, I refrain from a closer specific assignment.

Figures

FIG. 27. — A-H, Rhagapodemus cf. hautimagnensis Mein & Michaux, 1970, lower molars in occlusal view; A, right m1, Ms233; B, right m1, Ms234; C, right m1, Ms229; D, left m2, Ms237; E, right m2, Ms238; F, right m2, Ms235; G, left m3, Ms261; H, left m3, Ms262; I, J, Rhagapodemus sp., M1 in occlusal view; I, left, Ms302; J, right, Ms303. Scale bar: 1 mm.