Diversity of Moschidae (Ruminantia, Artiodactyla, Mammalia) in the Middle Miocene of China

Abstract

In this paper, we describe newly discovered and previously collected fossil moschid specimens from the middle Miocene of China. Besides the previously reported Hispanomeryx andrewsi, we recognize four additional fossil species in two genera of Moschidae in the middle Miocene of China based on dental morphology: Micromeryx cf. flourensianus, Micromeryx sp., Hispanomeryx sp. 1, and Hispanomeryx sp. 2. The specimens are of Tunggurian age (Neogene Chinese Land Mammal Age), corresponding to European MN6-MN7/8. The records show a diversity of fossil moschids in the middle Miocene of China comparable with the contemporaneous diversity in western European faunas.

On the oldest Mongolian moschids (Mammalia, Ruminantia) and the early moschid evolution

“…During their evolutionary history, moschids were far more diverse and widespread over Eurasia (e.g., Morales, 2006, 2008;Sánchez et al 2009Sánchez et al , 2010Sánchez et al , 2011Wang et al, 2015;Aiglstorfer et al, 2017Aiglstorfer et al, , 2018. However, only little is known on the origin and early evolution of this family, especially in Asia.…”

“…However, in their review of the locality, state that the record is unconfirmed, as the original specimens are lost or the identification cannot be verified. The determination of the ruminant remains defined as Micromeryx from the early Miocene locality Damiao DM16 (Wang et al, 2015) by Zhang et al (2011) has been questioned due to the fragmentary state of the specimens (Wang et al, 2015). No less than six species of Micromeryx and three species of Hispanomeryx are known in Western and Central Europe (Thenius, 1950;Morales et al, 1981;Azanza, 1986;Vislobokova, 2007;Sánchez and Morales, 2008;Sánchez et al, 2009;Sánchez et al, 2010;Liu and Groves, 2016;Aiglstorfer et al, 2017).…”

“…In contrast, only a few remains of Micromeryx and Hispanomeryx are currently known from Asia, comprising one described Hispanomeryx species: Hispanomeryx abdrewsi from the Chinese Wolf Camp, Tunggur Formation (Sánchez et al, 2011). Most of the other specimens are undetermined at the species level (Wang et al, 2015;Aiglstorfer et al, 2018).…”

Who killed Micromeryx flourensianus ? A case study of taphonomy and predation on ruminants in the middle Miocene of France

“…, , ; Wang et al . ). Micromeryx flourensianus , for which Sansan is the type locality, is possibly the oldest true moschid species.…”

“…There is only one extant moschid genus, found in mountainous regions of Asia and comprising six endangered and one vulnerable species (IUCN, 2018). During the Miocene, the family was far more widespread and was a common faunal element in Eurasia (Vislobokova 2007;S anchez & Morales 2008;S anchez et al 2009, 2010Vislobokova & Lavrov 2009;Aiglstorfer & Costeur 2013;Aiglstorfer et al 2014Aiglstorfer et al , 2017Aiglstorfer et al , 2018Wang et al 2015). Micromeryx flourensianus, for which Sansan is the type locality, is possibly the oldest true moschid species.…”