Bahinolophus, Tsubamoto & Egi & Takai & Sein & Maung, 2005

Tsubamoto, Takehisa, Egi, Naoko, Takai, Masanaru, Sein, Chit & Maung, Maung, 2005, Middle Eocene ungulate mammals from Myanmar: A review with description of new specimens, Acta Palaeontologica Polonica 50 (1), pp. 117-138 : 123

Genus Bahinolophus nov. Tsubamoto

Type and only known species: Bahinolophus birmanicus ( Pilgrim, 1925) comb. nov.

Distribution.—The “Upper Member” of the Eocene Pondaung Formation, central Myanmar.

Etymology.— Bahino−, from Bahin Village, where good specimens of the upper and lower dentition of this genus were discovered (the Bh4 locality; Fig. 1 ); lophus, referring to the lophodont teeth of this animal. The gender of the new genus is masculine.

Diagnosis.—Small− to medium−sized deperetellid with premolar series nearly as long as molar series and with developed bilophodonty on P2–P4. Differs from other deperetellids ( Deperetella and Teleolophus ) in having more buccally located molar postmetacrista, less straight molar protoloph and metaloph, less buccally prominent molar ectoloph, less squared and proportionally less wide crown aspect of molars in the occlusal view, and a single−rooted p1, and in lacking a distinct cingulum at the distobuccal corner of the crown on upper postcanine dentition. Differs from Deperetella cristata and Deperetella khaitchinulensis in having a shorter premolar series, less mesiodistally elongated p2, and much weaker buccal and lingual cingula, and in being smaller. Further differs from D. cristata in having parallel protoloph and metaloph on P2. Further differs from Deperetella similis in being slightly larger and in having a much lingually narrower mesial (protoloph) part compared to the distal (metaloph) part on P2. Differs from Teleolophus in that the protoloph and metaloph on P2–P4 are higher, parallel to each other, and lingually separated by a groove, and in having a weaker molar parastyle and much weaker buccal and lingual cingula.

Figures

Fig. 1. Geographical map of the Pondaung area of central Myanmar showing several vertebrate fossil localities in the Pondaung Formation.