Parazhelestes undetermined

Archibald, J. David & Averianov, Alexander, 2012, Phylogenetic analysis, taxonomic revision, and dental ontogeny of the Cretaceous Zhelestidae (Mammalia: Eutheria), Zoological Journal of the Linnean Society 164 (2), pp. 361-426 : 389-391

PARAZHELESTES SP.

(See Appendix 4 for synonymies, referred illustrations, and referred specimens.)

Locality and horizon: CDZH-117, Dzharakuduk, Kyzylkum Desert, Uzbekistan. Aitym Formation, Upper Cretaceous (upper Turonian–Coniacian?).

Description: The morphology of DP5 is the same as in other zhelestids and in size it is most similar to DP5s of P. mynbulakensis . There are three crenulations on the ectocingulum, the smallest one in the position of cusp E, the middle one in the position of cusp C, and the largest one mesial to the latter. For a more detailed description of the tooth see Averianov & Archibald (2003: 179–180). The latter description is incorrect in regard to the preparacrista and stylocone: in ZIN 85293 the preparacrista is absent through wear and the stylocone was most probably absent (this area of the ectocingulum is chipped).

For description of M3 see Averianov & Archibald (2003: 181). This tooth is distinctly smaller than the isolated M3 URBAC 03–179 referred to P. mynbulakensis and approximates the size of this tooth in the holotype maxilla of P. robustus . The fragmented M3 ZIN 85295 differs from the previous specimen in having a small stylocone, and possibly in having a relatively longer parastylar lobe.

Measurements: See Appendix 2.

Comments: There are possibly two species of Parazhelestes in the Aitym local fauna, which differ in size, as in the Bissekty local fauna. Whether or not they are conspecific with the Bissekty species is not clear.