A new hyainailourid (Hyaenodonta, Mammalia) from the middle Eocene of Mianchi of Henan, China
Article
Figures
Metrics
Preview PDF
Reference
Related
Cited by
Materials
Abstract:
A new hyainailourid (Hyaenodonta, Mammalia), Orienspterodon mianchiensis sp. nov., is reported from the Rencun Member of the Heti Formation in Mianchi County, Henan. The new taxon differs from the type species Orienspterodon dahkoensis by the following characters: three main cusps on p4 arranged in a straight line, a distinct hypoconid on p4 talonid; presence of a distinct metaconid on all molars, lingually compressed paraconid and protoconid on m2–3, increasing length of trigonid from m1–3; more developed talonid on m1–2, and more reduced talonid on m3. Our standard Bayesian “allcompat” phylogenetic analysis suggests that O. mianchiensis and O. dahkoensis are sister groups, occupying a basal position within Hyainailourinae. We also conduct a regression analysis based on the mean length of three molars, estimating the body mass of Orienspterodon in the range of 155–174 kg. Several dental indices and tooth enamel microstructures indicate that the diet of Orienspterodon mianchiensis is primarily meat-based, and this hyainailourid lacks the capability of a bone-cracking predator. The reconstruction of body mass and the analysis of diet contribute to our understanding of the ecological dynamics and evolutionary adaptations of Orienspterodon. These data provide a foundation for future research on the paleoecology of the hyainailourids.
