New material of Paukkaungmeryx minutus (Cetartiodactyla, Archaeomerycidae) from the late Middle Eocene Pondaung Formation, Myanmar

We describe here new dental material from the locality of Myaukse Kyitchaung (Pondaung Formation, central Myanmar) that we refer to the primitive Archaeomerycidae ruminant Paukkaungmeryx minutus Ducrocq et al. (2020). The upper molars are morphologically very similar to those of the holotype and exhibit only slight variations on features like the better development of buccal and lingual cingula. The lower teeth display primitive characters including a simple p4 and bunoselenodont lower molars that lack folds on the back of the trigonid wall. This additional material makes Paukkaungmeryx the second archaeomerycid in Pondaung known by upper and lower teeth material, and documents the apparently complex early evolution of the family.

Read more…

Fig. 2 Paukkaungmeryx minutus from Myaukse Kyitchaung A, B. MYS-2013-2, right M1–3, in occlusal view; C–F. MYS-2013-1, right p4–m3, in occlusal (C, D), lingual (E) and buccal (F) views. Scale bar equals 5 mm

References

Ducrocq S., Chaimanee Y., Chavasseau O., Soe A. N., Sein C., Jaeger J.-J. 2023 – New material of Paukkaungmeryx minutus (Cetartiodactyla, Archaeomerycidae) from the late Middle Eocene Pondaung Formation, Myanmar – Vertebrata Palasiatica, 2023, 61 (3), pp.182-197 – 10.19615/j.cnki.2096-9899.230522