Neocometes (Rodentia,Platacanthomyinae) from the early Miocene of Echzell,Germany

The dental material described in this paper represents the largest known sample of molar material of the extinct platacanthomyine rodent Neocometes Schaub and Zapfe. It can be attributed to Neocometes similis Fahlbusch, the stratigraphically oldest and most primitive of the two species recognized in the European Miocene. This rich material provides sufficient samples of all molar positions to evaluate and confirm the morphologic and morphometric characters given for N. similis. The evolutionary stage of the Neocometes population from Echzell is only slightly more derived than the one from the type locality Erkertshofen 2, and supports the biostratigraphic setting of Echzell given by earlier authors. N. similis is the first mammal described in detail from the fossiliferous ash layers of Echzell, a locality situated at the southwestern margin of the Vogelsberg volcanic complex in central Germany.