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 : 19

Bohlinia attica ( Gaudry and Lartet, 1856)

Specimens. MNHN PIK2357, MNHN SLQ682 Description. The medial and lateral epicondyles are symmetrical in size and morphology ( Figure 13 ). The medial epicondyle has a deep longitudinal groove on the medial aspect, separating it into a dorsal and a plantar head oriented longitudinally. The lateral epicondyle has a deep longitudinal groove on the lateral aspect that separates the lateral epicondyle into a distinct dorsal and plantar head, which are oriented longitudinally ( Figure 14.2 ). Both the medial and lateral epicondyles are long and flat, and they connect distally to the medial and lateral ridges. The pygmaios is fused to the central aspect of the medial epicondyle, separated by a short, deep groove. It is oriented medially and is flat proximally ( Figure 16 ). There is an elongated, flattened bony protrusion on the medial shaft that originates at the proximal articular surface ( Figure 17). The lateral ridge is sharp, whereas the medial ridge is rounded. The central trough is deep and flattens just proximal to the distal condyles. At the distal shaft, there are four shallow grooves, separating the distal end into four fused heads. The keels of the distal condyles are confined and do not extend onto the distal shaft.

Figures

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.

FIGURE 16. Three selected metatarsal characteristics. This simplified table can be used to facilitate specimen identifications and differentiate between different giraffid taxa.