Spermophilus sp.

Popov, Vasil V., 2004, Pliocene small mammals (Mammalia, Lipotyphla, Chiroptera, Lagomorpha, Rodentia) from Muselievo (North Bulgaria), Geodiversitas 26 (3), pp. 403-491 : 448

? Spermophilus sp. ( Fig. 24C )

MATERIAL EXAMINED. — 1 p4 (Ms143); (L × W) = 2.12 × 2.07.

DESCRIPTION

The dental pattern is dominated by four large cups: metaconid, protoconid, hypoconid and entoconid. The metaconid is slightly larger than protoconid. These cusps are separated by a wide trigonid basin, open anteriorly and closed distally by a low but well pronounced metalophid. The ectolophid and mesoconid are present as two low tubercles. The metastylid is low and indistinct. A proper anteroconid is absent, however a slight enamel protuberance at the anterior wall of the metaconid may be considered as a remnant of this cusp. The tooth is two rooted.

REMARKS

This tooth is tentatively referred to the subfamily Marmotinae on the basis of the arrangement of the anterior tubercles: they are set apart and separated by a wide trigonid basin. According to both the structural details and dimensions, the tooth is similar with Spermophilus (Urocitellus) cf. nogaici (Topachevski, 1957) from Kotlovina (middle and upper layers) ( Topachevsky & Nesin 1989). The limited material however does not permit detailed considerations.

Subfamily PETAURISTINAE Simpson, 1945

Figures

FIG. 24. — A, Pliopetaurista dehneli (Sulimski, 1964), left p4, Ms141, occlusal view; B, Sciurus sp., left M1-2, Ms142, occlusal view; C,?Spermophilus sp., right p4, Ms143, occlusal view; D-G, Allocricetus bursae Schaub, 1930; D, right m1, Ms309, occlusal view; E, right m1, Ms310, occlusal view; F, left M1, Ms313, occlusal view; G, left M1, Ms311, occlusal view; H, Tamias orlovi (Sulimski, 1964), left M3, Ms144, occlusal view. Scale bars: 1 mm.