Late Turolian Mesopithecus (Mammalia: Cercopithecidae) from Axios Valley (Macedonia,Greece): earliest presence of M. monspessulanus in Europe

The fossil mammal localities of the Axios Valley (Macedonia, Greece) yielded a rich collection of Mesopithecus remains, which were first described at the beginning of the 1990s. The late Turolian Dytiko localities include several specimens of Mesopithecus, which were originally separated in two size-related forms: the relatively larger-sized M. cf. or aff. pentelicus, and the relatively smaller-sized M. cf. monspessulanus. However, some Dytiko specimens were only partially described, or remained even undescribed because the cranium either was still in connection with the mandible or was markedly deformed. Later, careful cleaning of the materials and their revision based on larger comparative samples indicate that they represent two distinct species: the relatively larger-sized specimens belong to M. pentelicus, while the relatively smaller-sized ones to M. monspessulanus. The Dytiko M. pentelicus has slightly smaller dental dimensions compared to M. pentelicus from Pikermi, indicating a possible trend for size decrease. The Dytiko M. monspessulanus, although close to the typical form of this species, has somewhat larger dimensions. The semi-terrestrial M. pentelicus disappeared at the end of the Miocene, while some of its populations adapted to the wetter and more woody Pliocene habitats, finally giving origin to M. monspessulanus, whose elbow-joint indicates an arboreal lifestyle. M. monspessulanus was widely distributed in Europe, but its remains are very scarce and are all from the Pliocene. Some questionable indications for the presence of M. monspessulanus in the latest Miocene come from some Italian Messinian sites (Gravitelli, Baccinello V3), but this scenario still needs verification. However, even if its presence in some Italian localities was confirmed, the Dytiko M. monspessulanus nonetheless represents the earliest known occurrence of this species in Europe, as the Dytiko fauna is considered as latest Turolian (pre-Messinian, 7.0–6.0 Ma).     

Rodents and Insectivores from the Upper Miocene of Molayan, Afghanistan

Although Molayan is the richest fossil mammal locality in Afghanistan, only a few species have been studied. This paper describes three rodents (Hystrix aryanensis sp. nov., Parapeolomys sp. and Pseudomeriones latidens sp. nov.) and one insectivore (Erinaceus sp.). Lithostratigraphical correlations and biostratigraphical studies in the Khurdkabul Basin provide evidence that the Molayan locality is younger than three other localities in this basin: Sherullah, Taghar and Ghazgay. In addition, the taxa described here, along with several species of large mammals from Molayan, permit correlations with the Siwalik succession in Pakistan to the east, and with European Neogene mammal ages to the west. The age of the Molayan fauna is concluded to be mid Turolian. Observations on the mammal faunas from the Khurdkabul Basin suggest that the altitude of the area, at present over 2000 m, was much lower during the late Miocene. Uplift of the basin probably occurred no earlier than the ?late Pliocene.     

Prostrepsiceros and Protragelaphus (Artiodactyla,Mammalia) from the Late Miocene locality of Chomateri (Attica,Greece)

The Late Miocene fossiliferous locality of Chomateri is located close to the classic locality of Pikermi, but unfortunately its faunal context is not sufficiently known. Some fossil remains of spiral-horned antelopes from Chomateri are assigned to Prostrepsiceros rotundicornis and Protragelaphus skouzesi. The co-existence of P. rotundicornis and P. skouzesi is relatively rare in the Late Miocene, but well-documented in Pikermi. Comparisons of the Chomateri material support a middle Turolian age for the Chomateri locality and suggest a close chronological relation to the Pikermi fauna.     

Locomotor evolution of <Emphasis Type="Italic">Mesopithecus</Emphasis> (Primates: Colobinae) from Greece: evidence from selected astragalar characters

This paper reports our investigations into functional aspects of the astragalus of four samples of the genus Mesopithecus from Greece. More particularly, it aims to infer substrate preferences of M. delsoni/pentelicus from the Middle Turolian site of Perivolaki (central Greece), M. pentelicus from the late Middle Turolian site of Pikermi (southern Greece), and M. cf. pentelicus and M. cf. monspessulanus from the Late Turolian site of Dytiko (northern Greece). For these purposes, selected astragalar functional features, such as trochlea wedging, proximal facet curvature, and head rotation were expressed as linear measurements on both fossil and selected extant colobines. The size-adjusted measurements were used for univariate comparisons as well as a multivariate principal components analysis. Both approaches revealed that the selected characters were able to discriminate between extant arboreal and semiterrestrial colobines, but all fossil forms presented mosaic morphology. Thus, the oldest representative, M. delsoni/pentelicus was reconstructed as mainly semiterrestrial. On the other hand, the astragalus of M. pentelicus appeared to reflect semiterrestrial habits with a moderate adaptation to arboreality. Similar habitus reconstruction was allocated to the more recent M. cf. pentelicus, whereas the sympatric and synchronous M. cf. monspessulanus showed semiterrestrial adaptations with a slight preference of terrestrial substrates. The results mainly conform to paleoenvironmental reconstructions of the fossiliferous localities and denote that Mesopithecus was mainly a semiterrestrial radiation throughout its evolutionary history, with differential rates of use between arboreal and terrestrial substrates. These adaptations could have promoted the dispersal of the genus throughout Eurasia during the latest Miocene and Early Pliocene.     

<Emphasis Type="Italic">Mesopithecus</Emphasis> (Primates,Cercopithecidae) from the turolian locality of Vathylakkos 2 (Macedonia,Greece)

Two skulls, two mandibles and some postcranials ofMesopithecus from the locality “Vathylakkos 2” of Axios Valley (Macedonia, Greece) enlarge our knowledge about the genus and its differentiation. The new material together with an old skull from the same locality is compared with the Pikermi, “Ravin des Zouaves 5” (Axios Valley), and Maramena (Serres basin) samples. It is concluded that the VathylakkosMesopithecus resemblesM. pentelicus from Pikermi, as wellM. delsoni from “Ravin des Zouaves 5” and it is referred asMesopithecus sp. aff.M. pentelicus. The biochronological age of “Vathylakkos 2” has been considered as MN 12, while recent magnetostratigraphic data indicate an age of about 7.5 Ma. This age confirms the position of the VathylakkosMesopithecus between Pikermi and “Ravin des Zouaves 5”. Some dental indices compared with those of the RecentCercopithecus suggest that the Vathylakkos sample is monospecific.      

Metailurus major Zdansky, 1924 (Carnivora,Mammalia) from the classical locality of Pikermi (Attica,Greece)

The species of Metailurus major has a large geographical extension and is known from localities spread out from West Europe to China. In Greece it is known from the Late Miocene locality of Halmyropotamos in Euboea, while some authors mention it also in Pikermi and Samos in faunal lists only. Two specimens from Pikermi prove its existence in this classical locality.     

First porcupine fossils (Mammalia,Rodentia) from the late Miocene of NW Iran,with notes on late Miocene–Pliocene dispersal of porcupines

This paper describes the first fossil porcupine remains from Iran. Four upper cheek teeth and two fragmentary lower incisors present sufficient characters for identification as Hystrix aryanensis, a species previously known from the late Miocene locality of Molayan (Afghanistan) estimated at ca. 7–8 Ma. The dental features of porcupines are discussed to show their systematic value and highlight evolutionary trends in late Miocene and Pliocene porcupines. This study also discusses the dispersal history of fossil porcupines in relation to paleobiogeographic provinces and environmental changes during late Miocene to late Pliocene time.     

Calcaneal features of the Greek Miocene primate Mesopithecus pentelicus (Cercopithecoidea: Colobinae)

This paper investigates substrate preferences of the Greek Colobine Mesopithecus pentelicus WAGNER, from the Miocene of Pikermi, by examining selected functional features of the calcaneus that distinguish between arboreal and terrestrial Cercopithecidae. Mesopithecus possesses a relatively long proximal calcaneal region associated with a slightly low and wide surface for the insertion of m. triceps surae. These features approximate that of semi-terrestrial Cercopithecidae and would suggest terrestrial cursorial activities. On the other hand, the relatively long and narrow proximal calcaneo-astragalar facet, similar to that of most arboreal species, would provide ampler subtalar movements. The mosaic of these features implies a semi-terrestrial way of life and conforms to the savanna-woodland paleoenvironment of Pikermi, Greece. These features appear to be well associated with foot function and change of habitus and are used to examine scenarios of the evolutionary history of the Colobinae.     

New specimen of Conohyus indicus (Lydekker, 1884) (Mammalia: Suidae) from the base of the Late Miocene, Jammu, India

Conohyus indicus is a poorly known tetraconodont suid from the summit of the Lower Siwaliks and the base of the Middle Siwaliks of the Indian Subcontinent. Even though it was first recorded well over a century ago, only 13 specimens have since been described in the literature, consisting of isolated teeth and incomplete mandible and maxilla fragments. We here describe another fragmentary mandible from the Ramnagar Member (uppermost Middle Miocene to basal Late Miocene) of the Siwalik Group, which contains the left canine lacking its tip, the alveolus of P/1 and the left P/2 – P/3 and right P/3 - M/1. The new specimen, albeit incomplete,provides interesting information about the anterior parts of the jaw and throws light on the systematic position of the species as well as the recently described species Conohyus thailandicus from Thailand.     

Miocene fossil cercopithecoids from Kenya

Fossil cercopithecoid material from Ngeringerowa, Ngorora, and Nakali, dated at between 8.5 and 10.5 m.y., is described. The specimens are the only cercopithecoid remains dated between 15 and 6 m.y. from sub-Saharan Africa. The mandible of asmall colobine from Ngeringerowa (similar in size to Colobus verus) is assigned to a new genus and species, Microcolobus tugenensis. Unlike other colobine genera, the symphysis of Microcolobus lacks an inferior transverse torus. A colobine lower M_{1 or 2} from Nakali is longer and narrower than molars of M. tugenensis, indicating that it may belong to a distinct taxon. A P₄ from Ngorora cannot be assigned confidently to subfamily, due to its unique metaconid morphology. The relationship between the new genus and other Miocene monkeys is considered.     

Additional mandibles of Rangwapithecus gordoni,an early Miocene catarrhine from the Tinderet localities of Western Kenya

Two catarrhine mandibles and five isolated teeth have been discovered from Early Miocene localities in Western Kenya. One mandible comes from the well‐known locality of Songhor whereas the other is from a newly discovered locality, Lower Kapurtay, located near Songhor. The mandibles both can clearly be assigned to the species Rangwapithecus gordoni based on molar morphology, which is unique among Early Miocene catarrhines. The isolated specimens can be assigned to Rangwapithecus based on their similarities in morphology to the homologues preserved in the two mandibles. These specimens provide important new information about the dentognathic morphology of Rangwapithecus, which is described in detail. The mandible from Songhor (KNM‐SO 22228) represents the first definitive female mandible of Rangwapithecus. The Lower Kapurtay mandible (KNM‐KT 31234) appears to be male but is much smaller than another recently described male mandible of this species (KNM‐SO 17500) and the type maxilla (KNM‐SO 700). These specimens enable a reassessment of the attributions of all other mandibles and isolated lower teeth of Rangwapithecus, and we present a complete hypodigm of the mandibular and lower dental material for the species. Finally, we provide some additions to the diagnosis of Rangwapithecus gordoni based on previously unknown morphology. Am J Phys Anthropol 153:341–352, 2014. © 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.     

An almost complete skeleton of Metailurus parvulus (Carnivora, Felidae) from the late Miocene of Kerassia (Northern Euboea, Greece)

We describe a partial skeleton of Metailurus parvulus from the Turolian site of Kerassia 1 (Northern Euboea, Greece). The material, which consists of a mandible, the anterior and posterior limb-bone elements, some sternal bones and some vertebrae, is the most complete known of this species. The dental material is compared to specimens from Pikermi and Chomateri (Greece), and China. The limb-bones available offer us the possibility to discuss the status of some previously described specimens from Pikermi. The limb proportions indicate that M. parvulus had elongated posterior limbs relative to the anterior ones, which reflects developed jumping skills. M. parvulus had moderately developed cursorial abilities, intermediate between open and closed habitat felids, and probably frequented primarily relatively open woodlands.     

New insights on Cricetodontini (Rodentia,Mammalia) from the Duero Basin,Spain

Abstract

The tribe Cricetodontini is a common cricetid group found in several European basins from the Miocene. Here we present a study of the fossils of this group found in the Duero Basin. We updated the biostratigraphical assignation of some of the localities in which several species of Cricetodontini have been found. Cricetodontini remains from eight localities from the central sector of the Duero Basin have been described, measured and assigned to a species. The presence in these localities of Hispanomys aguirrei, H. lavocati, H. nombrevillae and H. aragonensis has allowed correlating them to the biostratigraphic scale built for the Miocene in Calatayud-Daroca Basin, identifying biozones G3, H and I (MN7/8 – MN10, Late Aragonian – Early Vallesian, Middle – Late Miocene). Furthermore, this study constitutes the first citation of this species in this basin, except H. aguirrei, previously described in the Duero Basin. After this work, the biostratigraphical assignation of the studied sites is now well known. We evidenced the resemblance of Duero and Calatayud-Daroca basins.     

A functional multivariate analysis of Mesopithecus (Primates: Colobinae) humeri from the Turolian of Greece

The genus Mesopithecus is well represented in the late Miocene of Greece by several recognized species. The present paper investigates functional aspects of the humeri of Mesopithecus delsoni/pentelicus, M. pentelicus and M. aff. pentelicus of several Turolian sites from central and northern Greece, using multivariate approaches. For these purposes, we selected significant humeral functional features, which were represented by 23 linear dimensions and three angles on 14 fossil humeri and 104 humeri from 10 genera and 22 species of extant African and Asian Colobines. All size-adjusted measurements were examined through a principal components analysis, followed by a discriminant function analysis, and a canonical variates analysis. All analyses revealed that the selected characters were able to discriminate between extant colobine genera. Functional groups, such as arboreal walking/climbing, arboreal walking/suspensory and semi-terrestrial walking, were set apart from a central cluster formed by the arboreal walking and arboreal walking/terrestrial groups. This cluster also grouped the three studied Mesopithecus species, which were mainly classified as arboreal walkers with significant terrestrial activities. These observations match with paleoenvironmental reconstructions and the suggested opportunistic feeding habits. Moreover, the overall arboreal/terrestrial locomotor tendencies of these fossil forms are discussed in relation to their earlier migration from Africa and later dispersal to eastern and southern Asia.     

Musteloids and feloids (Mammalia, Carnivora) from the late Miocene locality of Pikermi (Attica, Greece)

Some relatively rare carnivore remains from Pikermi are studied. The present specimens include Simocyon primigenius(ROTH and WAGNER, 1854), Promeles palaeatticus(WEITHOFER, 1888), Martes woodwardiPILGRIM, 1931, Felis atticaWAGNER, 1857 and Machairodus giganteus(WAGNER, 1848), as well as some postcranial remains that resemble Enhydriodon? latipesPILGRIM, 1931 and are assigned to Mustelidae gen. et spec. indet. Some of these species were not known until now but from their holotypes as M. woodwardi and E.? latipes. Other species such as F. attica and M. giganteus are better known but from relatively scant material. Since the material of the earlier mentioned species comes from Pikermi, their type locality, it is of especial importance and improves our knowledge for the Pikermi carnivores and their relationships to other species. In some cases where the material comes from ossiferous blocks, the accompanying faunal context is discussed.     

Longgupo: EarlyHomo colonizer or late plioceneLufengpithecus survivor in south China?

A fragment of mandible and a maxillary incisor of different individuals from the Longgupo Cave, China have been cited as evidence of an early dispersal ofHomo from Africa to Asia. More specifically, these specimens are said to resemble “Homo ergaster” orHomo habilis, rather than the species usually thought to be the first Asian colonizer,Homo erectus. If this supposition is correct, it calls into question which hominid (sensu stricto) first left Africa, and why hominids became a colonizing species. Furthermore, the Longgupo remains have been used to buttress the argument thatHomo erectus evolved uniquely in Asia and was not involved in the origins of modern humans. We question this whole line of argument because the mandibular fragment cannot be distinguished from penecontemporary fossil apes, especially the Late Miocene-Pliocene Chinese genusLufengpithecus, while the incisor is indistinguishable from those of recent and living east Asian people and may be intrusive in the deposit. We believe that the Longgupo mandible represents the relic survival of a Late Miocene ape lineage into a period just prior to the dispersal of hominids into southeastern Asia, with some female dental features that parallel the hominid condition. If the Longgupo mandibular fragment represents a member of theLufengpithecus clade, it demonstrates that hominoids other thanGigantopithecus and the direct ancestor of the orangutan persisted in east Asia into the Late Pliocene, while all other Eurasian large-bodied hominoids disappeared in the Late Miocene.     

A new Old World vulture (Falconiformes: Accipitridae) from the Miocene of Gansu Province, northwest China

A large-sized and almost complete fossil vulture was discovered from the Late Miocene Liushu Formation of Linxia Basin in northwestern China. It is the best-preserved and the most complete fossil vulture yet discovered. The new genus and species Gansugyps linxiaensis is proposed and assigned to the family Accipitridae; morphology and limb proportions suggest it was chiefly an arboreal and soaring bird. It is more advanced than the other two known Miocene vultures from China. This new fossil increases our knowledge of the evolutionary history of vultures, and has implications for reconstructing the paleoecology of this region.     

Impact of climate changes from Middle Miocene onwards on evolutionary diversification in Eurasia: Insights from the mesobuthid scorpions

The aridification from Middle Miocene onwards has transformed the Asian interior into an arid environment, and the Pleistocene glacial–interglacial oscillations exerted further ecological impact. Therefore, both aridification and glaciation would have considerably influenced the evolution of many mid‐latitude species in temperate Asia. Here, we tested this perspective by a phylogeographic study of the mesobuthid scorpions across temperate Asia using one mitochondrial and three nuclear genes. Concordant mitochondrial and nuclear gene trees were obtained, which are consistent with species tree inferred using a Bayesian approach. The age of the most recent common ancestor (MRCA) of all the studied scorpions was estimated to be 12.49 Ma (late Middle Miocene); Mesobuthus eupeus diverged from the clade composing Mesobuthus caucasicus and Mesobuthus martensii in early Late Miocene (10.21 Ma); M. martensii diverged from M. caucasicus at 5.53 Ma in Late Miocene. The estimated MRCA ages of M. martensii and the Chinese lineage of M. eupeus were 2.37 and 0.68 Ma, respectively. Central Asia was identified as the ancestral area for the lineage leading to M. martensii and M. caucasicus and the Chinese lineage of M. eupeus. The ancestral habitat of the genus Mesobuthus is likely to have been characterized by an arid environment; a shift towards more humid habitat occurred in the MRCA of M. martensii and a lineage of M. caucasicus, finally leading to the adaptation of M. martensii to humid environment. Our data strongly support the idea that the stepwise intensified aridifications from Mid‐Miocene onwards drove the diversification of mesobuthid scorpions, and suggest that M. martensii and M. eupeus observed today in China originated from an ancestral lineage distributed in Central Asia. Both the colonization and the ensuing evolution of these species in East Asia appear to have been further moulded by Quaternary glaciations.