First record of the strange Megadolodinae (Mammalia: Litopterna: Proterotheriidae) in the Urumaco Formation (Late Miocene), Venezuela.

CARLINI, A. A.; GELFO, J. N.; SANCHEZ, R.

JOURNAL OF SYSTEMATIC PALAEONTOLOGY

Cambridge University Press

Lugar: Cambridge; Año: 2006 p. 279 - 284

1477-2019

Bounodus enigmaticus, a new genus and species of Proterotheriidae Megadolodinae, from the Urumaco Formation (Upper Miocene), Venezuela, is described on the basis of a poorly preserved right axillary fragment with brachydont cheek teeth. Teeth and alveoli preserved are interpreted as part of the alveolus of P3, and P4 -M3 The new taxon is the smaller of the two genera referred to the Megadolodinae. It differs from Megadolodus, the other only known genus of the subfamily, in having a proportionally smaller P4 and M1, the latter elongated antero-posteriorly and with the protocone root more mesial than that of the hypocone. Bounodus enigmaticus gen. et sp. nov., reinforces the hypothesis that the Megadolodinae represent a distinct radiation within the Proterotheriidae,  with two other major clades being the Anisolambdinae and Proterotheriinae.