ABSTRACT

We describe abundant new remains of the medium-sized mustelid Mellivora benfieldi from the early Pliocene site of Langebaanweg (South Africa). The specimens are from the Muishond Fontein Pelletal Phosphorite Member (MPPM) and the Langeberg Quartz Sand Member (LQSM). Novel dentognathic—upper dentition, alveolus for m2—and postcranial—humerus, metacarpal V, femur and calcaneus—information is provided. This sample enables us to review the taxonomic status of Mio–Pliocene African mellivorines. Mellivora benfieldi is distinguished from the middle–late Miocene ‘Eomellivora’ tugenensis from Ngorora Kenya by its smaller size, and a M1 protocone messially placed; from the late Miocene Howellictis valentini from Chad by greater dental size with more crowded lower premolars, and p3 with distal accessory cuspid; and from the late Miocene Erokomellivora lothagamensis from Kenya, by shorter p4 and buccolingually shorter m1 protoconid. It also differs from H. valentini and Er. lothagamensis in absence or residual presence of the m2 alveolus. We infer M. benfieldi was an opportunistic, medium-sized carnivoran with semifossorial abilities, comparable to its living relative Mellivora capensis. A cladistic analysis was performed and our phylogenetic results place M. benfieldi as the sister species of M. capensis. Mellivorini contains M. benfieldi, M. capensis, and H. valentini. Additionally, we also include Er. lothagamensis and the Indian Promellivora punjabiensis. We propose the creation of one new tribe within Mellivorinae: Eomellivorini (Eomellivora spp. + Ekorus). It shares a common ancestor with Mellivorini and is characterized by large size, a robust and sharp dentition, as well as a skeleton with cursorial adaptations.

摘要

我们从Langebaanweg（南非）的上新世早期站点描述了中型芥末Mellivora benfieldi的大量新遗迹。标本来自Muishond Fontein颗粒磷矿成员（MPPM）和Langeberg石英砂成员（LQSM）。提供了新颖的牙颌牙齿-上牙列，m2的牙槽-和颅后的肱骨，掌骨V，股骨和跟骨的信息。该样本使我们能够回顾一下Mio–Pliocene非洲甜菜碱的分类学状况。班菲里氏菌与肯尼亚恩戈罗拉的中新世中新世的“ Eomellivora ” tugenensis区别在于其较小的尺寸，并以错综复杂的方式放置了一个M1原型。来自晚中新世Howellictis valentini来自乍得，牙齿更大，下前磨牙更拥挤，p3伴有远端副齿。以及来自肯尼亚的中新世晚中新世（Erokomellivora lothagamensis）的p4较短，而buccolingually的m1原型胚乳较短。它也不同于华氏杆菌和Er。在缺少或残留m2肺泡的情况下出现lothagamensis。我们推断本菲尔猪笼草是一种机会主义的中型食肉动物，具有半窝能力，与其活着的亲戚Mellivora capensis相当。进行了支序分析，我们进化的结果将M. benfieldi为的妹妹种M.兔。梅利沃里尼包含本菲迪，M. capensis和H. valentini。此外，我们还包括Er。Lothagamensis和印度Promellivora punjabiensis。我们建议在伞形目中建立一个新的部落：Eomellivorini（Eomellivora spp。+  Ekorus）。它与梅利沃里尼（Mellivorini）有着共同的祖先，其特点是体积大，牙列健壮且锋利，并具有经过粗略调整的骨骼。