New mandibular remains of Callistoe (Metatheria, Sparassodonta) reveal unexpected anatomical, functional, and evolutionary aspects of this carnivorous genus

Vertebrate Zoology

article

M. Judith Babot¹  Guillermo W. Rougier²  Daniel A. García-López³  Sara B. Bertelli¹  Claudia M. Herrera³  M. Virginia Deraco³  Norberto P. Giannini³ 

[1] CONICET–Fundación Miguel Lillo;University of Louisville;Universidad Nacional de Tucumán

关键词: Callistoe vincei;    carnivory;    Eocene;    Lumbrera Formation;    South America;    wear facets;   

DOI  :  10.3897/vz.72.e82709

学科分类：社会科学、人文和艺术（综合）

来源: Pensoft

【 摘 要 】

We present a detailed description of the anatomy of the dentary and lower teeth of a new specimen of Callistoe vincei, a large carnivorous metatherian from the Eocene (?Ypresian) of northwestern Argentina. The recently collected specimen is a young adult represented by a partial right dentary with the canine, p1, roots of p3, and very well-preserved m1 to m4. The description includes a comparison with the holotype specimen, a much older individual, and other closely related large sparassodonts (e.g., Arminiheringia). The analysis of this new material allowed identifying plesiomorphic molar features in Callistoe, such as the presence of a reduced metaconid on the m3 and a tricuspated, basined talonid on m1–m3. We also described the mesowear facets in the lower dentition, showing that the self-sharpening facet typically present in extinct and extant placental and some marsupial carnivorous forms, was absent in Callistoe. The presence of a short-term cutting edge in the trigonid related to the thinness of the enamel layer, and the associated tooth wear susceptibility, were likely compensated by a dental mechanism (overeruption) to maintain occlusal contact among antagonist teeth. This process could explain the marked extrusion of the tooth roots observed in Callistoe as well as in other large closely related members of the group.

【 授权许可】

CC BY