Les mammiféres insectivoresdes nouvelles collections de Sossís et sites associes (Éocène supérieur, Espagne)
Abstract
New collections from Soss/'is s.l. localities (Late Eocene, NE Spain) provide data on apatemyid and nyctitheriidinsectivores. With regard to the former, a few isolated teeth are related to the Heterohyus (Chardinyus) nanus lineage. The evolutionary stage documented at Sossís stands in an intermediate position between those of Robiac (MP 16) and the MP 17b Quercy phosphorite faunas. With regard to nyctitheriids, numerous isolated teeth are related to a small species described as a new taxon, Euronyctia montana nov. gen., nov. sp. Rare specimens are referred to Saturninia pirenaica, hitherto known from Soss/'is, and some other insectivores previously reported from the locality are discussed. Euronyctia montana is interpreted as an intermediate evolutionary stage within a peculiar nyctitheriine lineage including the earlier grisollensis (MP 16) and the later tobieni (MP 19) species. These new data allow reassessment of various European Late Eocene nyctitheriids as well as the recognition of a new species among the Quercy representatives, Saturninia pelissiei. The dilambdodont condition of the cheek teeth attained by the Euronyctia lineage is discussed under functional, adaptive and ecological aspects. On the biochronological aspect, the new Sossís insectivore material, especially that of Heterohyus nanus, adds new and precise evidence to the correlation of the Sossís fauna with the Early Ludian faunas referred to MP 17a.
- Publication:
-
Géobios
- Pub Date:
- 1997
- DOI:
- 10.1016/S0016-6995(97)80260-4
- Bibcode:
- 1997Geobi..30...91S
- Keywords:
-
- Insectivores;
- Dents;
- Éocene Supérieur;
- Europe;
- Évolution;
- Biochronologie