Proscapanus sp.

Ziegler, Reinhard, 2003, Moles (Talpidae) from the late Middle Miocene of South Germany, Acta Palaeontologica Polonica 48 (4), pp. 617-648 : 630-631

Proscapanus sp.

Fig. 5 .

Material (measurements see Tables 5, 6 ).—Petersbuch 31: NHMA P31−169/1, 3, 6, P31−170/1, left dentary fragment with m1, 2 isolated teeth, right humerus; CRW P31−169/2, 4, 5, 7, P31−170/2–4, 4 isolated teeth, 3 radii.

Description

A formal description is considered superfluous, as the specimens are morphological quite similar to Proscapanussansaniensis. Therefore I confine myself to noting the differences. In the dentary, the mental foramen is situated under the anterior root of p4. Nine alveoli anterior to m1 are preserved, two for the p4 and one for the three incisors, the canine, and the single−rooted p1–p3 respectively. However, I am not sure that in spite of the fracture really all alveoli are preserved. In the m1 the oblique cristid joins a very strong metacristid, which does not extend to the apex of the metaconid. The precingulid is faint. In the m2 and m3 the strong metacristid and precingulid are conspicuous. The M1 differs from P. sansaniensis in the more projecting parastyle and, most notably, in the undivided mesostyle. The humerus and radius fragments are reservedly assigned to the dental remains because of compatible size. I cannot exclude that some or all belong with the dentary of the indeterminate scalopine. The

humerus has the characteristic shelf−like scalopine ridge and fits in all morphological details with the humerus P. sansaniensis . The radius fragments show no peculiarities.

Discussion

The above listed specimens are distinctly smaller than in Proscapanussansaniensis and the undivided mesostyle is not compatible with this species. In size they would roughly fit with P. intercedens Ziegler 1985 from some Lower Miocene localities in South Germany (cf. Ziegler 1985). But in this species the mesostyle of the upper molars also is divided, albeit only superficially, and all lower premolars are double−rooted. This species can be excluded. As P.intercedens is considered to be a predecessor of P. sansaniensis , we do not expect it in faunas with late Middle Miocene correlation. P. sansaniensis is in most faunas accompanied by a smaller Proscapanus , e.g., in Sandelzhausen and in Vieux Collonges. Proscapanus sp. from Sandelzhausen would roughly fit in size but its M2 have divided mesostyles (Ziegler 2000: 92). Proscapanus sp. from Vieux Collonges is represented by humeri only, which are distinctly bigger than the specimen under study (cf. Mein 1958: 30). The small sample from Petersbuch 31 can be referred to Proscapanus , but yields no sufficient basis for the description of a new species.

Scalopini gen. et sp. indet.

Fig. 6 .

Material and measurements.—Petersbuch 31: NHMA P31−168, left dentary fragment with p4–m1; h of dentary below m1 (2.10), p4 (1.20×0.79), m1 (2.07×1.16×1.36).

Description

Dentary.—There is only a short fragment of the horizontal ramus with the mental foramen below the posterior root of p4 and five crowded alveoli anterior to p4. As the third to fifth alveolus anterior to p4 are increasingly inclined, it is assumed that only a small anterior part of the dentary is broken off. Consequently, the antemolar dentition is reduced.

Discussion

The lower position of the mental foramen, the stronger horizontal ramus and the reduced antemolar dentition are not compatible with Proscapanus sp. from the same site. However, it cannot be excluded that some of the radius fragments referred to Proscapanus sp. belong with this dentary. In overall morphology both teeth show scalopine affinities, for example, the presence of a metacristid and the direction of the oblique cristid. The specimen does not fit with any talpid species in the European Miocene. Naturally, on the basis of this specimen no new species can be described. With some hesitation it is placed within the Scalopini .

Lower dentition.—The cusp of the p4 is situated above the anterior root. There is a postero−lingual crest, a precingulid, and a postcingulid. In the m1 the oblique cristid extends far lingually but does not join the metacristid. Pre− and ectocingulid are continuous but not very strong. The postcingulid is weak and joins the small entostylid.

Figures

Fig. 5. Proscapanus sp., Petersbuch 31. A. Left dentary with m1, NHMA P31−169/1, buccal view; ca. × 10. B. Right m2, NHMA P31−169/3, occlusal view; ca. × 10. C. Left M1, NHMA P31−169/6; ca. × 10. D. Right humerus, NHMA P31−170/1, in anterior (D1) and posterior (D2) views; ca. × 5.

Fig. 6. Scalopini gen. et sp. indet., Petersbuch 31, NHMA P31−168, left dentary with p4–m1 in occlusal (A) and buccal (B) views; ca. × 10.