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{{Short description|Extinct genus of rodents}}
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{{Taxobox|fossil_range=[[Miocene]] to [[Pliocene]]
{{Automatic taxobox
|regnum=[[Animal]]ia
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| fossil_range = [[Miocene]] to [[Pliocene]]
|phylum=[[Chordate|Chordata]]
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| taxon = Megapedetes
|classis=[[Mammal]]ia
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| authority = MacInnes, 1957
|ordo=[[Rodent]]ia
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| type_species = †'''''Megapedetes pentadactylus'''''
|familia=[[Pedetidae]]
| type_species_authority = MacInnes, 1957
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|genus='''''Megapedetes'''''
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| subdivision_ranks = Species
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|type_species=''Megapedetes pentadactylus''
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| subdivision =
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|type_species_authority=MacInnes, 1957
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|subdivision_ranks=Species
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|subdivision=
*''Megapedetes aegaeus'' <small>Sen, 1974</small>
*''Megapedetes aegaeus'' <small>Sen, 1974</small>
*''Megapedetes gariepensis'' <small>Mein and Senut, 2003</small>
*''Megapedetes gariepensis'' <small>Mein and Senut, 2003</small>
*''Megapedetes pentadactylus'' <small>MacInnes, 1957</small>
*''Megapedetes pentadactylus'' <small>MacInnes, 1957</small>
*''Megapedetes pickfordi'' <small>Mein and Senut, 2003</small>}}
*''Megapedetes pickfordi'' <small>Mein and Senut, 2003</small>
}}

'''''Megapedetes''''' is a genus of fossil [[rodent]]s related to the [[springhare]] and other species of the genus ''[[Pedetes]]'', with which it forms the family [[Pedetidae]]. At least four species are known, which ranged through Africa, southwestern Asia, and southeastern Europe from the [[Miocene]] to the [[Pliocene]]. The genus was larger than ''Pedetes''.
'''''Megapedetes''''' is a genus of fossil [[rodent]]s related to the [[springhare]] and other species of the genus ''[[Pedetes]]'', with which it forms the family [[Pedetidae]]. At least four species are known, which ranged through Africa, southwestern Asia, and southeastern Europe from the [[Miocene]] to the [[Pliocene]]. The genus was larger than ''Pedetes''.


Species of ''Megapedetes'' were larger, relatively low-crowned ([[brachydont]]) pedetids with short, mostly fused roots under their teeth. There was no gutter surrounding the [[incisive foramen|incisive foramina]] (openings in the front part of the [[palate]]). The bones are more robustly built than in ''Pedetes'' and in another fossil relative of the springhares, ''[[Parapedetes]]''.<ref name=MS161>Mein and Senut, 2003, p.&nbsp;161</ref> Unlike in ''Pedetes'', the first [[metatarsal]] (a foot bone) is present.<ref name=MS162>Mein and Senut, 2003, p.&nbsp;162</ref> It may have fed on less rough vegetation than ''Pedetes'' does.<ref name=W239>Winkler, 1992, p.&nbsp;239</ref>
Species of ''Megapedetes'' were larger, relatively low-crowned ([[brachydont]]) pedetids with short, mostly fused roots under their teeth. There was no gutter surrounding the [[incisive foramen|incisive foramina]] (openings in the front part of the [[palate]]). The bones are more robustly built than in ''Pedetes'' and in another fossil relative of the springhares, ''[[Parapedetes]]''.<ref name=MS161>Mein and Senut, 2003, p.&nbsp;161</ref> Unlike in ''Pedetes'', the first [[metatarsal]] (a foot bone) is present.<ref name=MS162>Mein and Senut, 2003, p.&nbsp;162</ref> It may have fed on less rough vegetation than ''Pedetes'' does.<ref name=W239>Winkler, 1992, p.&nbsp;239</ref>


In Namibia, two species are known from the early middle Miocene<!--correlated to MN4, EAf faunal set P II--><ref name=MS163>Mein and Senut, 2003, p.&nbsp;163</ref> of [[Arrisdrift]]—''M.&nbsp;gariepensis'' and ''M.&nbsp;pickfordi''. An isolated [[phalanx bone|phalanx]] from a slightly older site, [[Auchas Mine]], cannot be reliably identified to species level,<ref name=MS161/> but may be ''M.&nbsp;gariepensis''.<ref name=MS167>Mein and Senut, 2003, p.&nbsp;167</ref> ''Megapedetes'' and other pedetids are reasonably common in the Miocene of East Africa.<ref name=W239/> ''M.&nbsp;pentadactylus'', the [[type species]] of the genus, occurs at [[Songhor]], [[Rusinga]], and [[Bukwa]];<ref>Mein and Senut, 2003, p.&nbsp;169; Winkler, 1992, p.&nbsp;239; Walker, 1969, p.&nbsp;592</ref> a species that may be close to ''M.&nbsp;gariepensis'' is known from [[Kirimun]], [[Fort Ternan]], and [[Maboko]]; a pedetid from [[Kipsaraman]] resembles ''M.&nbsp;pickfordi'', but is more low-crowned; and other pedetids may occur in other East African sites.<ref>Mein and Senut, 2003, p.&nbsp;169; Winkler, 1992, p.&nbsp;239</ref> A species of ''Megapedetes'', perhaps ''M.&nbsp;pentadactylus'', is known from Saudi Arabia in sediments about 16 million years old.<ref name=W239/> In the early Miocene of Israel, a yet undescribed pedetid close to ''Megapedetes'' is found.<ref>Wood and Goldsmith, 1998, p.&nbsp;87A</ref> Species of ''Megapedetes'' are also known from the Miocene and Pliocene of North Africa.<ref name=MS167/> Another species, ''Megapedetes aegaeus'', occurs at [[Bayraktepe]] in Turkey<ref name=S984>Sen, 1977, p.&nbsp;984</ref> and the genus has also been found on the Greek island of [[Chios]].<ref name=MS167/>
In Namibia, two species are known from the early middle Miocene<!--correlated to MN4, EAf faunal set P II--><ref name=MS163>Mein and Senut, 2003, p.&nbsp;163</ref> of [[Arrisdrift]]—''M.&nbsp;gariepensis'' and ''M.&nbsp;pickfordi''. An isolated [[phalanx bone|phalanx]] from a slightly older site, [[Auchas Mine]], cannot be reliably identified to species level,<ref name=MS161/> but may be ''M.&nbsp;gariepensis''.<ref name=MS167>Mein and Senut, 2003, p.&nbsp;167</ref> ''Megapedetes'' and other pedetids are reasonably common in the Miocene of East Africa.<ref name=W239/> ''M.&nbsp;pentadactylus'', the [[type species]] of the genus, occurs at [[Nandi Hills, Kenya|Songhor]], [[Rusinga]], and [[Bukwa]];<ref>Mein and Senut, 2003, p.&nbsp;169; Winkler, 1992, p.&nbsp;239; Walker, 1969, p.&nbsp;592</ref> a species that may be close to ''M.&nbsp;gariepensis'' is known from [[Kirimun]], [[Fort Ternan]], and [[Maboko]]; a pedetid from [[Kipsaraman]] resembles ''M.&nbsp;pickfordi'', but is more low-crowned; and other pedetids may occur in other East African sites.<ref>Mein and Senut, 2003, p.&nbsp;169; Winkler, 1992, p.&nbsp;239</ref> A species of ''Megapedetes'', perhaps ''M.&nbsp;pentadactylus'', is known from Saudi Arabia in sediments about 16 million years old.<ref name=W239/> In the early Miocene of Israel, a yet undescribed pedetid close to ''Megapedetes'' is found.<ref>Wood and Goldsmith, 1998, p.&nbsp;87A</ref> Species of ''Megapedetes'' are also known from the Miocene and Pliocene of North Africa.<ref name=MS167/> Another species, ''Megapedetes aegaeus'', occurs at [[Bayraktepe]] in Turkey<ref name=S984>Sen, 1977, p.&nbsp;984</ref> and the genus has also been found on the Greek island of [[Chios]].<ref name=MS167/>


Among the two Arrisdrift species, ''M.&nbsp;gariepensis'' is about 15% smaller than the East African ''M.&nbsp;pentadactylus'' and more adapted to jumping and has less robust [[incisor]]s, more high-crowned ([[hypsodont]]) cheekteeth.<ref name=MS162/> The second species, ''M.&nbsp;pickfordi'', is even smaller and more hypsodont.<ref name=MS166>Mein and Senut, 2003, p.&nbsp;166</ref> ''M.&nbsp;aegaeus'' and ''M.&nbsp;pentadactylus'' differ in details of the crowns of the cheekteeth.<ref name=S984/>
Among the two Arrisdrift species, ''M.&nbsp;gariepensis'' is about 15% smaller than the East African ''M.&nbsp;pentadactylus'' and more adapted to jumping and has less robust [[incisor]]s, more high-crowned ([[hypsodont]]) cheekteeth.<ref name=MS162/> The second species, ''M.&nbsp;pickfordi'', is even smaller and more hypsodont.<ref name=MS166>Mein and Senut, 2003, p.&nbsp;166</ref> ''M.&nbsp;aegaeus'' and ''M.&nbsp;pentadactylus'' differ in details of the crowns of the cheekteeth.<ref name=S984/>


==References==
==References==
{{reflist|colwidth=30em}}
{{Reflist|colwidth=30em}}


==Literature cited==
==Literature cited==
*Mein, P. and Senut, B. 2003. The Pedetidae from the Miocene site of Arrisdrift (Namibia). Geological Survey of Namibia Memoir 19:161–170.
*Mein, P. and Senut, B. 2003. The Pedetidae from the Miocene site of Arrisdrift (Namibia). Geological Survey of Namibia Memoir 19:161–170.
*Sen, S. 1977. ''Megapedetes aegaeus'', n. sp. (Pedetidae) et a propos d'autres "rongeurs Africains" dans le Miocène d'Anatolie. Geobios 10:983–986.
*Sen, S. 1977. ''Megapedetes aegaeus'', n. sp. (Pedetidae) et a propos d'autres "rongeurs Africains" dans le Miocène d'Anatolie. Geobios 10:983–986.
*Walker, A. 1969. [http://dx.doi.org/10.1038/223591a0 Lower Miocene fossils from Mount Elgon, Uganda] (subscription required). Nature 223:591–593.
*Walker, A. 1969. [https://dx.doi.org/10.1038/223591a0 Lower Miocene fossils from Mount Elgon, Uganda] (subscription required). Nature 223:591–593.
*Winkler, A.J. 1992. [http://www.jstor.org/stable/4523444 Systematics and biogeography of Middle Miocene rodents from the Muruyur Beds, Baringo District, Kenya] (subscription required). Journal of Vertebrate Paleontology 12(2):236–249.
*Winkler, A.J. 1992. [https://www.jstor.org/stable/4523444 Systematics and biogeography of Middle Miocene rodents from the Muruyur Beds, Baringo District, Kenya] (subscription required). Journal of Vertebrate Paleontology 12(2):236–249.
*Wood, A.E. and Goldsmith, N.F. 1992. [http://www.jstor.org/stable/4523942 Early Miocene rodents and lagomorphs from Israel] (subscription required). Journal of Vertebrate Paleontology 18(Suppl.&nbsp;3):87A–88A.
*Wood, A.E. and Goldsmith, N.F. 1992. [https://www.jstor.org/stable/4523942 Early Miocene rodents and lagomorphs from Israel] (subscription required). Journal of Vertebrate Paleontology 18(Suppl.&nbsp;3):87A–88A.

{{Pedetidae nav}}
{{Pedetidae nav}}
{{Anomaluromorpha|state=collapsed}}
{{Taxonbar|from=Q6808793}}


[[Category:Anomaluromorpha]]
[[Category:Anomaluromorpha]]
[[Category:Prehistoric rodents]]
[[Category:Prehistoric rodent genera]]
[[Category:Miocene rodents]]
[[Category:Fossil taxa described in 1957]]
[[Category:Pedetes]]

Latest revision as of 11:44, 1 October 2024

Megapedetes
Temporal range: Miocene to Pliocene
Scientific classification Edit this classification
Domain: Eukaryota
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Class: Mammalia
Order: Rodentia
Family: Pedetidae
Genus: †Megapedetes
MacInnes, 1957
Type species
†Megapedetes pentadactylus
MacInnes, 1957
Species
  • Megapedetes aegaeus Sen, 1974
  • Megapedetes gariepensis Mein and Senut, 2003
  • Megapedetes pentadactylus MacInnes, 1957
  • Megapedetes pickfordi Mein and Senut, 2003

Megapedetes is a genus of fossil rodents related to the springhare and other species of the genus Pedetes, with which it forms the family Pedetidae. At least four species are known, which ranged through Africa, southwestern Asia, and southeastern Europe from the Miocene to the Pliocene. The genus was larger than Pedetes.

Species of Megapedetes were larger, relatively low-crowned (brachydont) pedetids with short, mostly fused roots under their teeth. There was no gutter surrounding the incisive foramina (openings in the front part of the palate). The bones are more robustly built than in Pedetes and in another fossil relative of the springhares, Parapedetes.[1] Unlike in Pedetes, the first metatarsal (a foot bone) is present.[2] It may have fed on less rough vegetation than Pedetes does.[3]

In Namibia, two species are known from the early middle Miocene[4] of Arrisdrift—M. gariepensis and M. pickfordi. An isolated phalanx from a slightly older site, Auchas Mine, cannot be reliably identified to species level,[1] but may be M. gariepensis.[5] Megapedetes and other pedetids are reasonably common in the Miocene of East Africa.[3] M. pentadactylus, the type species of the genus, occurs at Songhor, Rusinga, and Bukwa;[6] a species that may be close to M. gariepensis is known from Kirimun, Fort Ternan, and Maboko; a pedetid from Kipsaraman resembles M. pickfordi, but is more low-crowned; and other pedetids may occur in other East African sites.[7] A species of Megapedetes, perhaps M. pentadactylus, is known from Saudi Arabia in sediments about 16 million years old.[3] In the early Miocene of Israel, a yet undescribed pedetid close to Megapedetes is found.[8] Species of Megapedetes are also known from the Miocene and Pliocene of North Africa.[5] Another species, Megapedetes aegaeus, occurs at Bayraktepe in Turkey[9] and the genus has also been found on the Greek island of Chios.[5]

Among the two Arrisdrift species, M. gariepensis is about 15% smaller than the East African M. pentadactylus and more adapted to jumping and has less robust incisors, more high-crowned (hypsodont) cheekteeth.[2] The second species, M. pickfordi, is even smaller and more hypsodont.[10] M. aegaeus and M. pentadactylus differ in details of the crowns of the cheekteeth.[9]

References

[edit]
  1. ^ a b Mein and Senut, 2003, p. 161
  2. ^ a b Mein and Senut, 2003, p. 162
  3. ^ a b c Winkler, 1992, p. 239
  4. ^ Mein and Senut, 2003, p. 163
  5. ^ a b c Mein and Senut, 2003, p. 167
  6. ^ Mein and Senut, 2003, p. 169; Winkler, 1992, p. 239; Walker, 1969, p. 592
  7. ^ Mein and Senut, 2003, p. 169; Winkler, 1992, p. 239
  8. ^ Wood and Goldsmith, 1998, p. 87A
  9. ^ a b Sen, 1977, p. 984
  10. ^ Mein and Senut, 2003, p. 166

Literature cited

[edit]
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