Microstonyx (Suidae, Artiodactyla) from the Upper Miocene of Hayranlı-Haliminhanı, Turkey

van der Made J., Güleç E., Erkman A. C.

Turkish Journal of Zoology, vol.37, no.1, pp.106-122, 2013 (SCI-Expanded) identifier

  • Publication Type: Article / Article
  • Volume: 37 Issue: 1
  • Publication Date: 2013
  • Doi Number: 10.3906/zoo-1202-4
  • Journal Name: Turkish Journal of Zoology
  • Journal Indexes: Science Citation Index Expanded (SCI-EXPANDED), Scopus, TR DİZİN (ULAKBİM)
  • Page Numbers: pp.106-122
  • Keywords: Ecology, Late Miocene, Microstonyx, Rooting, Suidae
  • Ankara University Affiliated: Yes

Abstract

The suid remains from localities 58-HAY-2 and 58-HAY-19 in the Late Miocene Derindere Member of the İncesu Formation in the Hayranli{dotless}-Haliminhani{dotless} area (Sivas, Turkey) are described and referred to as Microstonyx major (Gervais, 1848-1852). Microstonyx shows changes in incisor morphology, which are interpreted as a further adaptation to rooting. This occurred probably in a short period between 8.7 and 8.121 Ma ago and possibly is a reaction to environmental change. The incisor morphology in locality 58-HAY-2 suggests that it is temporally close to this change, which would imply that this locality and the lithostratigraphically lower 58-HAY-19 belong to the lower part of MN11 and not to MN12. The findings are discussed in the regional context and contribute to the knowledge of the Anatolian fossil mammals. © TÜBİTAK.