Aragonictis araid, gen. et sp. nov., a small-sized hypercarnivore (Carnivora, Mustelidae) from the late middle Miocene of the Iberian Peninsula (Spain)
Valenciano Vaquero, Alberto (Universidad de Zaragoza. Departamento de Ciencias de la Tierra. Instituto Universitario de Investigación en Ciencias Ambientales de Aragón)
Morales, Jorge (Museo Nacional de Ciencias Naturales. Departamento de Paleobiología)
Azanza, Beatriz (Universidad de Zaragoza. Departamento de Ciencias de la Tierra. Instituto Universitario de Investigación en Ciencias Ambientales de Aragón)
DeMiguel, Daniel (Institut Català de Paleontologia Miquel Crusafont)

Date:	2021
Abstract:	Small to medium-sized mustelids from the last 18 million years represent a heterogeneous group of carnivorans with a wide-ranging record in the northern hemisphere. They were first referred to the genera Mustela and Martes, but lately ascribed to the latter, and hence considered as the longest-lived genus within Mustelidae. However, a great many of these forms have been based upon fragmentary material and Martes has conformed progressively to a wastebasket nomen for species of uncertain relationships. Here, we describe dentognathic material of a small-sized mustelid from three middle Miocene (MN7 + 8, latest Aragonian) localities of the Iberian Peninsula that constitutes a new genus and species. Aragonictis araid, gen. et sp. nov. represents a distinct taxon if compared with early/middle Miocene forms ascribed to "Martes" spp. , especially the similar-sized early Miocene Circamustela? laevidens and the middle Miocene "Martes" caedoti and "Martes" delphinensis. The finding of particular features in A. araid (low p2-3, loss or reduction of the p4 accessory cuspid with its main cuspid centrally located, presence of a sharp, beveled and lingually open m1 talonid, and reduction of M1 lingual platform) indicates affinities with the late Miocene Circamustela in the range of hypercarnivory. Our reassessment of "Martes" indicates possible evidence of cladogenesis for Miocene mustelidae with, at least, two different events being recognized in Europe-the latter during MN7 + 8 to MN9 with presence of Aragonictis and Circamustela. The finding of A. araid further confirms the presence of more densely forested environments than expected in inner Iberia during the latest middle Miocene.
Grants:	Agencia Estatal de Investigación PGC2018-094122-B-100 Agencia Estatal de Investigación PID2020-116220GB-100 Ministerio de Ciencia e Innovación FJC2018-036669-I
Rights:	Aquest document està subjecte a una llicència d'ús Creative Commons. Es permet la reproducció total o parcial, la distribució, i la comunicació pública de l'obra, sempre que no sigui amb finalitats comercials, i sempre que es reconegui l'autoria de l'obra original. No es permet la creació d'obres derivades.
Language:	Anglès
Document:	Article ; recerca ; Versió acceptada per publicar
Published in:	Journal of vertebrate paleontology, Vol. 41, Issue 5 (2021) , art. e2005615, ISSN 1937-2809

DOI: 10.1080/02724634.2021.2005615

Postprint 39 p, 1.1 MB

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Research literature > UAB research groups literature > Research Centres and Groups (research output) > Experimental sciences > Institut Català de Paleontologia Miquel Crusafont (ICP)
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