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a-b) Paralutra garganensis postcranial elements: a) Paratype right calcaneum RGM 261152, dorsal view. b) Epistropheus RGM 179156, in lateral (b1) and cranial (b2) views. Lutrinae poscranial element: c) Lutrinae indet., Left humerus PU 128525, in caudal (c1), lateral (c2) and cranial (c3) views.
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A short account is presented here of the discovery of new material attributable to Paralutra garganensis Willemsen, 1983, the only carnivore species documented from the Late Miocene endemic "Terre Rosse" faunal complex (also referred to as the "Mikrotia fauna"). Although thousands of fossil remains of the "Mikrotia fauna" have been collected during...
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Context 1
... the oldest fissure fillings) (Freudenthal, 1976(Freudenthal, , 1985. Among thousands of fossil remains from the extensive sampling carried out since the 1970's by different research groups, the only known carnivore within the "Mikrotia fauna" was till now represented by a left maxillary fragment with M 1 and P 4 (Figs 1, 2a) and a right calcaneum (Fig. 4a), constituting the type series of the species described by Willemsen (1983) as Paralutra garganensis. The revision of the collections stored at the Università di Firenze allowed the identification of a new specimen of Paralutra garganensis. Moreover, the revision of the Leiden collections, and the recent (2000) field work by a team from ...
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... to a large specimen well corresponding to the morphotype of Paralutra garganensis. In addition some morphological features of the tooth match with P. jaegeri: the enamel is crumpled and wrinkled, and the high denticulated cingulum decreases on the buccal side. The same features are also observed in Paludolutra remains. RGM 179156 -epistropheus (Fig. 4b). Measurements are given in Tab. 3. Specimen from fissure labelled "Gervasio 1" (G1; Freudenthal, 1976). RGM 179156 is high, with short centrum. The dens (odontoid processus) is cylindrical, and as long as one third of the total length of the centrum. The cranial articular surfaces for the atlas are almost as high as wide. The ...
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... and comparisons -PU 128525 -left humerus (Fig. 4c). Measurements are given in Tab. 4. Specimen from a fissure labelled Cava Dell'Erba, F4/A (uncorrelated fissure). The proximal epiphysis is highly damaged, and cannot be described; the great tuberosity and a part of the head are broken. The lesser tuberosity, in part preserved, seems to be separated from the greater tuberosity by a ...
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Citations
... Molecular dating has estimated that Lutrinae arose ~8-9 million years ago in the late Miocene (Yonezawa et al. 2007;Koepfli et al. 2008;Sato et al. 2009Eizirik et al. 2010). The late Miocene fossil record of otters and otter-like mustelids, which exhibit adaptations indicative of feeding on fish, molluscs, or crustaceans (Morales and Pickford 2005;Pickford 2007;Haile-Selassie 2008;Peigné et al. 2008;Villier et al. 2011;Tseng et al. 2017;Wang et al. 2018), suggests that the switch to diets low in sweet and umami taste-eliciting compounds occurred Table 1. Mutations hypothesized to cause evolutionary events of loss of the sweet taste receptor in Carnivora. ...
Controversy and misunderstanding surround the role of feeding specialization in taste receptor loss in vertebrates. We refined and tested the hypothesis that this loss is caused by feeding specializations. Specifically, feeding specializations were proposed to trigger time-dependent process of taste receptor loss through deprivation of benefit of using the receptor’s gustatory function. We propose that this process may be accelerated by abiotic environmental conditions or decelerated/stopped because of extragustatory functions of the receptor’s protein(s). As test case we used evolution of the sweet (TAS1R2+TAS1R3) and umami (TAS1R1+TAS1R3) receptors in Carnivora (dogs, cats, and kin). We predicted these receptors’ absence/presence using data on presence/absence of inactivating mutations in these receptors’ genes and data from
behavioral sweet/umami preference tests. We identified 20 evolutionary events of sweet (11) or umami (9) receptor loss. These events affected species with feeding specializations predicted to favor sweet/umami receptor loss (27 and 22 species, respectively). All species with feeding habits predicted to favor sweet/umami receptor retention (11 and 24, respectively) were found to retain that receptor. Six species retained the sweet (5) or umami (1) receptor despite feeding specialization predicted to favor loss of that receptor, which can be explained by the time dependence of sweet/umami receptor loss process and the possible decelerating effect of TAS1R extragustatory functions so that the sweet/umami receptor process is ongoing in these species. Our findings support the idea that feeding specialization leads to taste receptor loss and is the main if not only triggering factor for evolutionary loss of taste receptors.
... It differs from Lartetictis spp., among other features, in the smaller size of the dentition, a smaller distolingual expansion on M1, and a shorter, narrower and lower m1 talonid. Paralutra garganensis Willemsen, 1983 has been recorded in the Late Miocene 'Terre Rosse' faunal complex, Gargano, Italy (Willemsen 1983;Villier et al. 2011). It represents a more robust species, and recently it has been suggested that it might constitute a member of a different genus (Wang et al. 2017). ...
The present paper addresses the study of new fossils of the extinct lutrine Lartetictis Ginsburg & Morales, 1996 from the early middle Miocene of Göriach (Austria, late MN5-early MN6) and from the hominoid locality of Paşalar (Turkey, late MN5). The mandibular material of Lartetictis from Göriach is described and assigned to the type species, Lartetictis dubia. The mandibular and dental specimens from Paşalar proceed from the digging seasons 1983–2018, and constitute one of the larger samples of Lartetictis, enabling us to erect the species Lartetictis pasalarensis sp. nov. Its large size and features that are more derived than those of the Central European L. dubia characterises this new Turkish species. Among other features, L. pasalarensis shows a relatively low and broader P4 protocone, a larger distolingual expansion of the M1 lingual platform, higher cuspids of the m1 and a more trenchant m1 talonid. This new taxon represents the first datum of Lartetictis in Turkey as well as the easternmost record of the genus. Careful comparison between Lartetictis and other extinct otters from the middle Miocene, including Paralutra in Europe, Siamogale in Asia and Mionictis in North America, suggests a closer relationship with the latter group.
urn:lsid:zoobank.org:act:74C19A50-91B4-4878-B702-5F8C03E41F4A
... Another Miocene mustelid taxon from Europe (e.g. Steinheim in Germany (Helbing 1936), La-Grive-Saint-Alban in France (Ginsburg 1968) or Gargano in Italy (Villier et al. 2011)) worthy to be discussed is Paralutra. It differs from the Gračanica mustelid in the notably shifted position of the mesial alveolus of the first premolar (p2) and in more pronounced cingulids (Helbing 1936). ...
The Carnivora (Mammalia) yielded in the coal mine Gračanica in Bosnia and Herzegovina are composed of the caniform families Amphicyonidae (Amphicyon giganteus), Ursidae (Hemicyon goeriachensis, Ursavus brevirhinus) and Mustelidae (indet.) and the feliform family Percrocutidae (Percrocuta miocenica). The site is of middle Miocene age and the biostratigraphical interpretation based on molluscs indicates Langhium, correlating Mammal Zone MN 5. The carnivore faunal assemblage suggests a possible assignement to MN 6 defined by the late occurrence of A. giganteus and the early occurrence of H. goeriachensis and P. miocenica. Despite the scarcity of remains belonging to the order Carnivora, the fossils suggest a diverse fauna including omnivores, mesocarnivores and hypercarnivores of a meat/bone diet as well as Carnivora of small (Mustelidae indet.) to large size (A. giganteus). Faunal similarities can be found with Prebreza (Serbia), Mordoğan, Çandır, Paşalar and Inönü (all Turkey), which are of comparable age. The absence of Felidae is worthy of remark, but could be explained by the general scarcity of carnivoran fossils. Gračanica records the most eastern European occurrence of H. goeriachensis and the first occurrence of A. giganteus outside central Europe except for Namibia (Africa). The Gračanica Carnivora fauna is mostly composed of European elements.
... Gargano and Scontrone represent the most important fossil localities of this palaeobioprovince [17], which was characterized by very peculiar vertebrate associations with highly endemic macro-and micromammals, reptiles and birds [16][17][18][20][21][22][23][24][25], all of them grouped in the so-called Mikrotia fauna [18,26]. It is worth mentioning that the fossil vertebrate association of this palaeobioprovince is also characterized by the absence of terrestrial predators, with the exception of the very peculiar hedgehog Deinogalerix [25], the otter Paralutra [27] and a crocodile [28], the latter two known from very few remains. ...
... However, the presence of these old taxa in the Neogene of southern Italy is unlikely, as there is no evidence of survival of Palaeogene faunal elements in the Apulia-Abruzzi Palaeobioprovince. Alternatively, and more likely, the peculiar morphologies shown by the holotype of G. ballmanni are the result of a convergent evolution of this species within an insular environment, where mammalian carnivores were extremely rare if not absent [25,27]. This theory is also supported by the morphology of the newly described bones, which are much more similar to Anatidae than to Gastornithidae and other stem-groups of Anseriformes. ...
New skeletal elements of the recently described endemic giant
anseriform Garganornis ballmanni Meijer, 2014 are presented,
coming from the type-area of the Gargano and from Scontrone,
southern and central Italy, respectively. The new remains
represent the first bird remains found at Scontrone so far, and
another shared element between these two localities, both part
of the Apulia-Abruzzi Palaeobioprovince. The presence of a
very reduced carpometacarpus confirms its flightlessness, only
previously supposed on the basis of the very large size, while
the morphologies of tarsometatarsus and posterior phalanges
clearly indicate the adaptation of G. ballmanni to a terrestrial,
non-aquatic, lifestyle. Its very large body size is similar to that
observed in different, heavily modified, insular waterfowl and
has been normally interpreted as the response to the absence
of terrestrial predators and a protection from the aerial ones.
The presence of a carpal knob in the proximal carpometacarpus
also indicates a fighting behaviour for this large terrestrial
bird species.
... Gargano and Scontrone represent the most important fossil localities of this palaeobioprovince [17], which was characterized by very peculiar vertebrate associations with highly endemic macro-and micromammals, reptiles and birds [16][17][18][20][21][22][23][24][25], all of them grouped in the so-called Mikrotia fauna [18,26]. It is worth mentioning that the fossil vertebrate association of this palaeobioprovince is also characterized by the absence of terrestrial predators, with the exception of the very peculiar hedgehog Deinogalerix [25], the otter Paralutra [27] and a crocodile [28], the latter two known from very few remains. ...
... However, the presence of these old taxa in the Neogene of southern Italy is unlikely, as there is no evidence of survival of Palaeogene faunal elements in the Apulia-Abruzzi Palaeobioprovince. Alternatively, and more likely, the peculiar morphologies shown by the holotype of G. ballmanni are the result of a convergent evolution of this species within an insular environment, where mammalian carnivores were extremely rare if not absent [25,27]. This theory is also supported by the morphology of the newly described bones, which are much more similar to Anatidae than to Gastornithidae and other stem-groups of Anseriformes. ...
... The fossiliferous 'Terre Rosse' infillings of the karstic fissures carved in the limestones that are quarried at the foot of the Gargano hills (Text-fig. 1; Freudenthal 1971, Abbazzi et al. 1996, Pavia et al. 2010) yielded remains of the strongly endemic genera Mikrotia , (Muridae) Hattomys (Cricetidae), Deinogalerix (Erinaceidae), Hoplitomeryx (Ruminantia), alongside a smaller number of non-or slightly endemised mammal taxa (Freudenthal 1971, De Giuli et al. 1990, Masini et al. 2008, Villier et al. 2011). The latter include Dryomys apulus (Freudenthal & Martín-Suárez 2006), Neocricetodon sp., Apocricetus sp. ...
The taxonomy of the murid that had been ascribed to the genus Apodemus from the late Miocene insular faunal assemblages of Gargano (Southeastern Italy) is revised. Morphological and odontometric analyses of important new dental characters were undertaken. Our investigations revealed substantial morphological differences from Apodemus. The rodent is therefore assigned to a new genus and species, Apatodemus degiulii. The new species is characterised by a combination of advanced and primitive characters: moderately brachyodont teeth, t7 present in all M1–2s, elongated and distally located t1 in M1, t1 often twinned in M1–2, and narrow labial cingulid in lower molars associated to a well-developed tma. The genus Apatodemus actually includes two distinct species of different age. A. degiulii is the oldest and is described here in detail. The other one, for the moment, is referred to as Apatodemus sp.: a more comprehensive description of it will be presented in a future publication. Apatodemus sp. is a highly modified, endemic species, whereas A. degiulii is slightly endemized. Despite the features of Apatodemus degiulii render difficult to asses its closest continental ancestor, the species likely originated from some south-eastern European stock, in agreement with paleo-geographical reconstructions suggesting periodic connections of the Abruzzo-Apulian paleobioprovince with the Balkan mainland. The age when the ancestor of Apatodemus reached the Apulia Platform is still unclear. However, some lines of evidence suggest a probable arrival at the time of the MN13 unit (latest Miocene).
... Almost all mammals of the ''Mikrotia fauna'' show marked endemic features and most of the genera are restricted to this endemic palaeobioprovince (e.g., the galericine Deinogalerix, the murid Mikrotia, the glirid Stertomys, the hamster Hattomys, and the five-horned artiodactyls Hoplitomeryx;Butler, 1980;Freudenthal, 1976Freudenthal, , 1985Leinders, 1984;Daams and Freudenthal, 1985;Van Der Geer, 2008;Villier and Carnevale, in press), while a number of endemic species belongs to genera with a wider distribution (e.g., several species of the ochotonids Prolagus, the glirid Dryomys, and the otter Paralutra; Freudenthal, 1971;Willemsen, 1983;Mazza, 1987;Freudenthal and Martín-Suá rez, 2006;Masini et al., 2010;Villier et al., 2011). A very limited number of species might not be endemic (e.g., Apodemus present in all sampled localities but M013, and Cricetulodon restricted to the oldest fissure fillings, whether or not these are endemic at the species level still needs to be determined; Freudenthal, 1976Freudenthal, , 1985De Giuli et al., 1990;. ...
Islands have long been recognized as distinctive evolutionary arenas leading to morphologically divergent species, such as dwarfs and giants. We assessed how body size evolution in island mammals may have exacerbated their vulnerability, as well as how human arrival has contributed to their past and ongoing extinctions, by integrating data on 1231 extant and 350 extinct species from islands and paleo islands worldwide spanning the past 23 million years. We found that the likelihood of extinction and of endangerment are highest in the most extreme island dwarfs and giants. Extinction risk of insular mammals was compounded by the arrival of modern humans, which accelerated extinction rates more than 10-fold, resulting in an almost complete demise of these iconic marvels of island evolution.
This chapter gives a concise overview of the faunas of Gargano. Then, a comprehensive treatment is provided of the history of discoveries, biozones, or faunal units and the peculiarities and evolutionary aspects of individual endemic species or lineages. The palaeo‐island Gargano is now part of mainland Italy. During the Late Miocene and Early Pliocene, it was an island, harbouring a highly endemic fauna, including five‐horned deer, giant gymnures, giant pikas, and several rodent lineages. The mid‐Pliocene flooding of the area led to the extinction of this peculiar fauna. After the area emerged again and became connected to Italy in the Early Pleistocene, it was colonised by a balanced mainland fauna. From the Early Pleistocene on, the region was interested by a general uplifting, resulting in the regression and continentalisation of the area.
Otters (subfamily Lutrinae) are semi-aquatic predators in the family Mustelidae. Modern otters have a worldwide distribution but their fossil record is poor, often consisting of fragmentary jaws and teeth. Multiple lineages have developed bunodont dentitions with enlargements of molars, usually for cracking molluscs or other hard foods. Some lineages have evolved badger-like teeth and, as a result, were often confused with melines (Old World badger clade). Siamogale thailandica Ginsburg, Invagat, & Tassy, 1983 from the middle Miocene basin of Mae Moh in northern Thailand is one such species, whose fragmentary dental remains have thus far impeded our understanding. A new species of fossil otter, Siamogale melilutra sp. nov., represented by a nearly complete cranium, mandible and partial skeletons of at least three individuals, was recovered from the latest Miocene (∼6.2 Ma) lignite beds of the Shuitangba Site in north-eastern Yunnan Province, south-western China. Computed tomography (CT) restoration of the crushed skull reveals a combination of otter-like and badger-like cranial and dental characteristics. The new species belongs to the Lutrinae because of its possession of a large infraorbital canal and ventral expansion of the mastoid process, among other traits. A distally expanded M1, however, gives a badger-like appearance. In overall morphology the Shuitangba otter is closest to Siamogale thailandica. A previously described jaw (‘Lutra’ aonychoides) from the early Pliocene of the Yushe Basin in north China is also here referred to S. melilutra. No previous attempt has been made to provide a global phylogenetic framework for otters. We present the first combined morphological and molecular (nuclear and mitochondrial DNAs) character matrices of five extant (Pteronura, Lontra, Enhydra, Aonyx, Lutra) and eight extinct genera (Tyrrhenolutra, Paralutra, Paludolutra, Enhydritherium, Siamogale, Vishnuonyx, Sivaonyx, Enhydriodon) to better understand the evolution of bunodont otters. Parsimony and Bayesian analyses consistently recover an eastern Asian clade that includes forms from Shuitangba, Yushe and Mae Moh, all of which are referred to Siamogale. http://zoobank.org/urn:lsid:zoobank.org:pub:5C637018-0772-4C78-AA4B-783B71085D9D © The Trustees of the Natural History Museum, London 2017. All rights reserved.
