Une nouvelle espèce du genre Bohlinia (Mammalia,Giraffidae) du Miocène supérieur de Toros-Menalla,Tchad

New Giraffidae specimens discovered from the Late Miocene fossiliferous sector of Toros-Menalla (northern Chad) are described. These specimens are assigned to Bohlinia, a genus known so far only in some Late Miocene localities of Eurasia. This is the first occurrence of the genus in Africa. Analysis of the material allows us to describe a new species of giraffid, Bohlinia adoumi n. sp., probably close to the Eurasian forms.     

Une nouvelle sous-espèce de loup (Canis lupus maximus nov. subsp.) dans le Pléistocène supérieur d’Europe occidentale

The evolutionary history of the extant wolf (Canis lupus sensu largo) and its ancestors is characterised by changes in body size. A chronocline has been established based on these changes, but its temporal resolution is poorly defined. New morphometric analyses conducted on Late Pleistocene remains from southern France have permitted the diagnosis of a new subspecies of wolf, Canis lupus maximus nov. subsp. This new subspecies is statistically larger than all other known fossil and extant wolves from Western Europe. The diagnosis is based on biometric data collected on wolf remains from Jaurens cave (Nespouls, Corrèze, France). The paleoenvironmental context of the biogeographic range of this subspecies is discussed.     

Nouvelles espèces de Madréporaires dans le Kimméridgien supérieur du Jura (France)

The study of an Upper Kimmeridgian madreporarianfauna collected in the southern french Jura (between Valfin and Belley), allowed: 1) to describe five Scleractinian new species: Mitrodendron biennensis nov. sp., Hexapetalum nemorosum nov. sp., Thalamocoenia gironensis nov. sp., Cryptocoenia stelliserrata nov. sp., Columnocoenia miniflora nov. sp. and a new variety of Heliocoenia (Kobycoenia) claudiopolisensisBeauv., 1964, characterized by its small calices; 2) to modify the diagnosis and the systematic position of the species Baryhelia crassa (de From.) which was created as Heterocoenia crassade From.; 3) to increase of a new species the genus Hexapetalum only known, till now, by its Stramberg Tithon type-species; and 4) to give some palaeoenvironmental conclusions = the Upper Jurassic reef formations in the Southern Jura grew in shallow water characterized by an abundant carbonate sedimentation. Genera associations and distribution confirm the presence, between Oyonnax and Belley, of a low energy area, protected by a barrier reef and, northern of this barrier, of a higher hydrodynamic environment.     

Suoidea du Miocène inférieur de Laugnac (Lot-et-Garonne, France)

The fossil vertebrate locality of Laugnac is the type locality of the Neogene mammalian zone MN2b. It has yielded many remains of Suoidea belonging to two different genera.Xenohyus venitor is characterized by its large size and especially its large central upper incisors, I1/ and I2/. It is quite difficult to know its phyletic relationships because the material is not abundant.Hyotherium cf.meisneri is more abundant with a quite good skull, pieces of skull, jaws and isolated teeth. It belongs to a peculiar lineage different from that ofH. major from Saint Gérand-le-Puy, France. It has some similarities withAureliachoerus aurelianensis from later geological levels (MN3-MN5).     

Révision d’Oryctolagus lacosti (Lagomorpha,Mammalia) du Pliocène supérieur de Perrier (Auvergne,France)

Fossil leporids from the Upper Pliocene of the locality of Perrier-Étouaires (Auvergne, France) are here revisited. They were initially attributed to Lepus lacosti by Pomel (1853), and later to the genus Oryctolagus. This material had been neither accurately described nor figured until now. Thus, a lectotype and two paralectotypes have been chosen among the material of the original collection. The diagnostic character of Oryctolagus lacosti is its big size, similar to that of modern hares (Lepus), together with other morphological characters that fit in the variability range of European rabbits (Oryctolagus cuniculus). Fossils of leporids similar to those of Perrier have also been found in several Plio-Pleistocene localities from western Europe.     

Ancylotherium cheboitense nov. sp., nouveau Chalicotheriidae (Mammalia,Perissodactyla) du Miocène supérieur des Tugen Hills (Kénya)

Ancylotherium cheboitense nov. sp., new Chalicotheriidae (Mammalia, Perissodactyla) from the Late Miocene of the Tugen Hills (Kenya). Seven articulated bones of a left foot, comprising the talus, incomplete calcaneum, cuboid, co-ossified navicular + ectocuneiform, the mesocuneiform, metatarsals II, III and IV, as well as an isolated lower molar, were discovered at Cheboit, Baringo District, Kenya. All these remains came from the Kapgoywa Member (5.9 to 6.1 Ma) at the base of the Lukeino Formation. They belong to a new species of Ancylotherium, A. cheboitense nov. sp. This Schizotheriinae is characterised by its remarkably stocky skeleton, its high and wide talus, its massive metatarsals, in particular the fourth, of which the anterior surface of the diaphysis is strongly depressed. A. cheboitense is smaller but much more massive than Ancylotherium hennigi and even more so than Chemositia tugenensis, both species that have (at least partly) about the same age. It could represent an attempt to adapt to a humid habitat. To cite this article: C. Guérin, C. R. Palevol 4 (2005).     

Une espèce géante de MuscardinusKaup, 1829(Gliridae,Rodentia, Mammalia) dans le gisement karstique de Cala Es Pou (Miocène supérieur de Minorque,Baléares)

In this paper, Muscardinus cyclopeus nov. sp., from the locality of Cala Es Pou, in Menorca (Balearic Islands)), is described. M. cyclopeus is close to M. viretiHugueney & Mein, but shows a greater size. This species belongs to a new phase of insularity in the Balearic Islands, different from the classical Myotragus-Hypnomys-Nesiotites faunas. This phase may be due to variations in the sea level within the Messinian. Other elements belonging to this phase are: Geochelone gymnesicaBate, cf. Alilepus nov. sp. and Rhinolophus cf. grivensis (Deperet).     

Une nouvelle espèce d'Apodemus (Rodentia,Mammalia)du Pliocène de la dépression de Guadix-Baza (Grenade,Espagne)

This paper describes a new species of Apodemus,A. agustii, a Middle Pliocene Muridae from the Guadix-Baza basin. Its morphology is far from that postulated as more frequent in Apodemus: its molars crowns are relatively high: there is no connection between t6 and t9 in M¹ and M². Taking in account this and its age, it is placed in an evolutionary branch, convergent with “Rhagapodemus” morphotype.     

Première découverte de Viperidae (Reptilia,Serpentes) dans les îles Baléares (Espagne) : des vipères du Néogène de Minorque. Description d’une nouvelle espèce du Pliocène

Two viperid snakes, Vipera natiensis sp. n. (belonging to the Vipera aspis group) and Vipera sp., have been found in the Pliocene of Minorca. On the other hand, an indeterminate viperid extends back the fossil record of the family in the Balearic Islands, to the Middle Miocene. These fossils represent the first report of viperids from the Balearic Islands. Vertebra of Vipera natiensis sp. n. are characterised by a concave anterior border of zygosphene, dorsoventrally flattened, short (as wide as long) and blunt prezygapophyseal processes. Centrum convex in transverse section, subcentral margins poorly marked and presence of two well defined subcotylar tubercles. Hypapophysis located posteriorly on the centrum and not prolonged anteriorly, or only slightly prolonged as a keel. The dorsal border of the neural spine is slightly thickened; the posterior border of the neural spine is markedly inclined posteriorly; as a result, the spine forms a posterior point, which is more or less developed, depending on the position of the vertebra along the vertebral column. The presence of Viperidae in the Neogene of the Balearic Islands involves the existence of a terrestrial connection between this archipelago and the continent during the Early Miocene and/or Middle Miocene and perhaps the presence of a later connection during the Late Miocene.     

Hemicyon mayorali nov. sp., Ursidae du Miocène moyen de Tarazona de Aragon (bassin de l'Ebre,Aragon, Espagne)

Study of a new species of an ursid, Hemicyon mayorali of Tarazona de Aragon in Spain. This species differs from the other species of the genus by the lengthening of the snout and the morphology of M2.     

Ulphaceaster sarthacensis,nouveau genre et nouvelle espèce d’échinide Archiaciidae du Cénomanien (Sarthe,France)

A new genus and a new species of the echinoid family Archiaciidae from Cenomanian deposits in Sarthe (Paris Basin, France) are described. The genus Ulphaceaster nov. gen. can be distinguished from other archiaciids by its anterior ambulacrum, which is located in a deep groove running from the peristome to the apex where the test enlarges in a tea-spoon shape. The apical rostrum is taller and more slender than for species of the close genus Claviaster. The species Uphaceaster sarthacensis sp. nov. is known from the Saint-Ulphace locality only (Sables et Grès de Lamnay Formation, La Garenne quarry), where it is found in shallow marine sandy limestones, from infralittoral deposit environments.     

Holmesopteris faironiae,fougère nouvelle du Carbonifère supérieur des Monts Cantabriques (NW de l'Espagne) et de Belgique

Isolated fern rachises have been discovered in twoWestphalian A coal balls of Belgium and Spain. They represent a new taxon, Holmesopteris faironiae n.gen., n.sp., characterized by the special location of the protoxylem poles. The morphology, the anatomy and the foliar branching of this new taxon suggest that it may belong to the family Botryopteridaceae; Stephanian species of the genus Botryopteris seem closely related to the new fern.     

Ouzocerus gracilis n.g., n.sp., Bovidae (Artiodactyla,Mammalia) du Vallésien (Miocène supérieur) de Macédoine (Grèce)

A new antilope, Ouzocerus gracilis n.g., n.sp., isdescribed from a late Miocene layer from Northern Greece. It is known from an incomplete skull, jaws and limb bones. A comparison with other spiral horned antilopes shows it has some affinities with Protragelaphus but it is clearly different. Its known geographic area extends from Greece to Iran.