How to translate text using browser tools
1 January 2016 A new anthracothere (Artiodactyla) from the early Oligocene, Fayum, Egypt, and the mystery of African ‘Rhagatherium’ solved
Afifi H. Sileem, Hesham M. Sallam, Abdel Galil A. Hewaidy, Ellen R. Miller, Gregg F. Gunnell
Author Affiliations +
Abstract

Recent work on new anthracothere (Mammalia, Artiodactyla) specimens from the Jebel Qatrani Formation, early Oligocene, Fayum, Egypt, has revealed the presence of a new genus. Nabotherium new genus is described on the basis of a partial skull, several mandibular and maxillary specimens, and isolated teeth. The new genus exhibits a distinctive combination of features not seen in other Paleogene anthracotheres. The most noticeable characteristics of the new genus include the presence of large and well-developed upper and lower canines, caniniform third incisors, the presence of only a short diastema between the canine and first premolar, and broad, bunodont cheek teeth. This is in contrast to other contemporary anthracotheres, including other forms from the Fayum, which show a spatulate third incisor, a reduced canine, a much longer canine-premolar diastema, and more narrow, bunoselenodont cheek teeth. The presence of a relatively short rostrum with closely packed incisors, low-crowned and simple premolars, and low-crowned, bunodont molars indicates that members of the new genus would have been more efficient at crushing foods than slicing vegetation, and suggests a more varied herbivorous and frugivorous diet than was favored by other, more bunoselenodont Fayum anthracotheres.

© 2016, The Paleontological Society
Afifi H. Sileem, Hesham M. Sallam, Abdel Galil A. Hewaidy, Ellen R. Miller, and Gregg F. Gunnell "A new anthracothere (Artiodactyla) from the early Oligocene, Fayum, Egypt, and the mystery of African ‘Rhagatherium’ solved," Journal of Paleontology 90(1), 170-181, (1 January 2016). https://doi.org/10.1017/jpa.2016.13
Accepted: 1 July 2015; Published: 1 January 2016
RIGHTS & PERMISSIONS
Get copyright permission
Back to Top