Scontromeryx apulicus ( Mazza et Rustioni, 2011 )

Van Der Geer, Alexandra A. E., 2014, Systematic revision of the family Hoplitomerycidae Leinders, 1984 (Artiodactyla: Cervoidea), with the description of a new genus and four new species, Zootaxa 3847 (1), pp. 1-32 : 17

Scontromeryx apulicus ( Mazza et Rustioni, 2011)

Taxon A (partim)— Mazza & Rustioni 1999 (partim): p. 306, fig. 1 [SCT76, SCT88].

Hoplitomeryx apulicus Mazza & Rustioni, 2011 — Mazza & Rustioni 2011 (partim): p. 1304, 1318, 1330, figs 2, 3, 5, tables 1, 2 [SCT76, SCT88].

Holotype. Right hemimandible SCT88 ( Figure 2 , D, E, F, in Mazza & Rustioni 2011).

Paratypes. Hemimandibles SCT76, SCT88, (SCT88 is indicated by Mazza & Rustioni (2011) as well as holotype as paratype).

Revised diagnosis. Small species with brachyodont dentition. Mandible with slender and slightly sinuous ramus, with clearly convex ventral profile. In p3 protoconid larger than metaconid, opposite in p4; parastylid, hypoconid and entoconid well developed in lower premolars, paraconid present in unworn premolars; lower molars with swollen lingual enamel walls and with cuspids that remain isolated even in worn teeth; cheek teeth with occlusal surfaces markedly inclined outwards because of strong differential wear between inner and outer cuspids; labial conids markedly triangular and closely spaced, with flattened mesial walls; ectostylid very small in m1, absent in m2 and m3; metastylids and postentocristids well developed but not protruding lingually; distal margin of hypoconulid fused, or not, to the entoconulid; enamel smooth; cingulum absent.

Differential diagnosis. Larger than Scontromeryx falcidens according to Mazza & Rustioni (2011), but with Gargano specimens removed it is the smallest species. Differs from S. falcidens by a more elongated lower p4 (L/ W ratio 1.7 vs 1.5) and having metastylids that are not lingually protruding. Differs from S. falcidens and S. minutus by having closely spaced labial conids of the lower molars and the very small ectostylid in m1 and absence of an ectostylid in m2 and m3 and of a cingulum in lower molars. Differs from S. minutus by having a smooth labial enamel wall on its lower molars.

Derivation of name. Not given by Mazza & Rustioni (2011). Likely after the Latin name for the present-day province of Puglia (southern Italy).

Preservation and deposition. Soprintendenza Archeologica dell’Abruzzo (Chieti, central Italy).

Type locality and horizon. Tortonian Scontrone Member of the Lithothamnium Limestone ( Patacca et al. 2008; 41°45'15.54'N, 14°02' 13.14''E), outskirts of Scontrone, southern border of the National Park of Abruzzi, L’Aquila, central Italy.

Description. See Mazza & Rustioni (2011).

Additional characters shown by paratype revised after Mazza & Rustioni (2011). SCT76 is a fragmentary right hemimandible with three molars ( Mazza & Rustioni 1999, not mentioned in Mazza & Rustioni 2011). m1–m2. occlusal surfaces considerably inclined outwards; inner cuspids maintain sharp and pointed for long, outer cuspids affected by relatively higher degrees of wear. m3. distal margins of both hypoconulid and entoconulid either separated or fused towards the collar of the tooth.

Measurements. See Table 2 .

Remark. An additional differential character was the long diastema in S. apulicus , but this diastema cannot be confirmed for the Scontrone specimens.

Figures

FIGURE 2. Scatter diagrams of linear measurements of the metacarpal, metatarsal, radius, first and second anterior phalanges, the femur, the tibia and the astragal from Gargano. The diagram for the metatarsal includes one juvenile specimen (the largest specimen); all other specimens are adult. Abbreviations: DAPp = antero-posterior diameter at proximal end, DTD = transverse diameter at distal end, F 2 = distance between top of greater trochanter to highest point of minor trochanter (after Scott 1985).