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First discovery of fossil Diplothrix (Muridae, Rodentia) outside the Ryukyu Islands, Japan

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  • Geology
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Chinese Science Bulletin

Abstract

The first Diplothrix (Muridae, Rodentia) fossils of the early Early Pleistocene are described as D. yangziensis sp. nov., which were collected from the Renzidong Cave deposits in Anhui Province, Eastern China. Diplothrix was previously represented by a single species, D. legata, whose geographical distribution during the Late Pleistocene is restricted to the Ryukyu Islands, Japan. With straight chevrons on M1, distinct t3 and t9 on upper molars, primitive M3, mlc on m1, and developed a-lab on m2 and m3, the new species is morphologically distinct from other large murids in East Asia, and should belong to the genus Diplothrix. There are also differences in molar morphology between the new species and D. legata, the type species of Diplothrix, as well as other known fossils. For example, D. yangziensis sp. nov. has a smaller size, a more elongated crown, developed precingulum and pc on M1, more primitive M3, weaker mlc and more primitive pc on m1, and stronger plc and pc on m3. In short, Diplothrix yangziensis sp. nov. is evidently more primitive than D. legata, suggesting that the former is likely the ancestor of the latter. Diplothrix yangziensis sp. nov. is the first discovery of the genus outside the Ryukyu Islands, Japan and is also the earliest and most primitive species of the genus in Eurasia. Its discovery has significant implications for reconstructing the evolution and dispersal pattern of Diplothrix, as well as for discussing its palaeoecological variation.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Key Laboratory of Evolutionary Systematics of Vertebrates, Institute of Vertebrate Paleontology and Paleoanthropology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100044, China

    Yuan Wang & ChangZhu Jin

  2. Graduate University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100049, China

    Yuan Wang

  3. Chongqing Three Gorges Institute of Paleoanthropology, China Three Gorges Museum, Chongqing, 400015, China

    GuangBiao Wei

  4. Chongqing Three Gorges Culture and Social Development Research Institute, Chongqing Normal University, Chongqing, 400047, China

    GuangBiao Wei

Authors
  1. Yuan Wang
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  2. ChangZhu Jin
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  3. GuangBiao Wei
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Correspondence to Yuan Wang.

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Wang, Y., Jin, C. & Wei, G. First discovery of fossil Diplothrix (Muridae, Rodentia) outside the Ryukyu Islands, Japan. Chin. Sci. Bull. 55, 411–417 (2010). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11434-009-0541-4

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11434-009-0541-4

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