Bohlinia attica ( Gaudry and Lartet, 1856 )

Rios, M, Danowitz, M & Solounias, N, 2016, First comprehensive morphological analysis on the metapodials of Giraffidae, Palaeontologia Electronica 410 (10453), pp. 1-39 : 11

Bohlinia attica ( Gaudry and Lartet, 1856)

Specimens. MNHN PIK 27561 (figured in Gaudry, 1861: plate XL), NHM 11405, NHM M 11401, MNHN MAR3257, MNHN PIK11403

Description. The proximal articular surface is all on the same plane. The synovial fossa is closed and very small. The medial and lateral epicondyles are separated by a minimal step. The medial and lateral epicondyles are symmetrical in size. The medial epicondyle has a confined, horizontally oval fossa just distal to the articular surface. The lateral epicondyle is square shaped and extends distally onto the lateral ridge ( Figure 13 ). The lateral epicondyle exhibits a distinct, triangular extension of the articular surface. There is a depression on the proximal, medial shaft which extends to the palmar midline, disrupting the continuity of the medial ridge with the medial epicondyle ( Figure 14.2 ). The proximal shaft flares on the lateral edge and is straighter on the medial edge. There is a small, deep groove that separates the lateral and medial epicondyles, and does not continue onto the proximal shaft. The lateral ridge thickens around onethird of the length of the metapodial. The medial ridge is rounded and the lateral ridge sharp, creating a deep central trough ( Figure 6.5 ). The medial ridge is rounded proximally, and becomes progressively flatter distally, whereas the lateral ridge remains sharp throughout the length. The pyramidal rise is absent. The medial ridge exhibits a strong, elongated oval fossa on the medial edge, whereas the lateral ridge exhibits a faint, elongated oval fossa on the lateral edge ( Figure 4 ). The distal epiphysis is slightly broader than the remainder of the shaft. The keels of the distal condyles extend onto the palmar distal shaft.

Figures

FIGURE 4. Three selected metacarpal characteristics. This simplified table can be used to facilitate specimen identifications and differentiate between different giraffid taxa.

FIGURE 6. Representative cross sections of right metacarpals. 1, Helladotherium duvernoyi, late Miocene, Pikermi, MNHNP 1527; 2, Birgerbohlinia schaubi, late Miocene, Samos, AMNH 20610 (reversed); 3, Okapia johnstoni, AMNH 15218 (reversed); 4, Samotherium major, late Miocene, Samos, AMNH 22790; 5, Bohlinia attica, late Miocene, Pikermi, PA 1474-1991; 6, Giraffa camelopardalis, AMNH 70016. Scale bar equals 80 mm.

FIGURE 13. Bohlinia attica from Pikermi. 1, Right metacarpal MNHN 52780; 2, Right metatarsal MNHN 1639.

FIGURE 14. Palmar views of the right metacarpals (left) and plantar views of the metatarsals (right) of certain Giraffidae. 1, Canthumeryx sirtensis, early-middle Miocene, Moruorot Hill, NMK Mo 41 (metatarsal); 2, Bohlinia attica, late Miocene, Pikermi, MNHNP 27561 (metacarpal), MNHNP 2357 (metatarsal) (reversed); 3, Giraffa camelopardalis, Zaire, AMNH 53550 (metacarpal), AMNH 53550 (metatarsal) (both reversed). Scale bar equals 200 mm.