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Alcidedorbignya inopinata (Mammalia: Pantodonta) from the Early Paleocene of Bolivia: phylogenetic and paleobiogeographic implications

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  14 July 2015

Christian de Muizon  and
Larry G. Marshall
Christian de Muizon
Affiliation:
Institut de Paléontologie (U.R.A. 12 C.N.R.S.), Muséum National d'Histoire naturelle, 8, rue Buffon, 75005 Paris, France
Larry G. Marshall
Affiliation:
Institute of Human Origins, 2453 Ridge Road, Berkeley, California 94709
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Abstract

Alcidedorbignya inopinata Muizon and Marshall is a primitive pantodont from the Early Paleocene of Tiupampa, Department of Cochabamba, in the “Cordillera Oriental” of south-central Bolivia. It is known by almost complete upper and lower dentitions, which are described in detail. The occurrence of abundant juvenile specimens allows a study of tooth replacement. The molars of Alcidedorbignya inopinata are primitive for a pantodont but they show the characteristic synapomorphy of the group, which is the presence of a V-shaped ectoloph of P3-4. However, the paracone and the metacone of A. inopinata are separated at their bases, a feature absent in the Bemalambdidae and Harpyodus, which have connate to semi-connate paracone and metacone. Because of this character, A. inopinata, although the oldest, is not the most primitive pantodont. However, A. inopinata, as in bemalambdids and Harpyodus, does not have a mesostyle on M1-2/ or a strongly V-shaped centrocrista, which are found in all other pantodonts. For this reason, Alcidedorbignya inopinata is removed from the Pantolambdidae (which are too specialized) and referred to the new monotypic family Alcidedorbignyidae. The family Wangliidae Van Valen, 1988, is not accepted here and the genus Wanglia is regarded as a junior synonym of Harpyodus; the latter includes the two species H. euros and H. decorus. Analysis of pantodont origins leads to the conclusion that didelphodontines constitute the best potential sister-group; however, no synapomorphy could be found to substantiate this hypothesis. Alcidedorbignya inopinata is the first pantodont known from a southern continent and, being the oldest, it raises a discussion on the paleobiogeographic history of the group.

Type
Research Article
Information
Journal of Paleontology , Volume 66 , Issue 3 , May 1992 , pp. 499 - 520
Copyright
Copyright © The Paleontological Society 

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