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Vasseuromys rambliensis sp. nov. (Gliridae, Mammalia) from the Ramblian (Lower Miocene) of the Tudela Formation (Ebro basin, Spain)

Abstract:

In this paper, a new species of Vasseuromys, V. rambliensis sp. nov., from the locality Pico del Fraile 1 (PF1, Ebro basin, North-eastern Spain) is described. The association of Ligerimys, Peridyromys murinus and Simplomys simplicidens, and the absence of Eucricetodon and Democricetodon, allows dating of the PF1 locality as Late Ramblian (Early Miocene, MN3, local zone A). Main diagnostic features of V. rambliensis sp. nov. are the presence of four extra ridges in the lower molars, a very reduced anterotropid and a metaloph connected to the posteroloph and not to the protocone. The size and morphology of V. rambliensis sp. nov. are very close to V. bacchius from the upper part of unit MN2, from which it may have been derived. The new data allow a better understanding of the relationships within this genus and its biostratigraphy. © Palaeontological Association January 2012.