Comments on Percrocuta carnifex (Carnivora, Percrocutidae) based on new fossil material from the Nagri Formation (Middle Siwaliks) of Hasnot, Pakistan

Authors

  • A. Ghaffar Department of Zoology, Cholistan University of Veterinary & Animal Sciences (CUVAS), Bahawalpur, Punjab, Pakistan
  • M. Akhtar Department of Zoology, Minhaj University, Lahore
  • M.A. Khan Department of Zoology, University of the Punjab (PU), Lahore
  • M. A. Babar Department of Zoology, University of the Punjab (PU), Lahore

Keywords:

Percrocuta carnifex, Carnivora, Percrocutidae, Miocene, Middle Siwaliks.

Abstract

New dentary material of Percrocuta carnifex (Pilgrim, 1913) from the Nagri Formation ofHasnot, Pakistan, is described. Specimens of this species from the Siwalik continental deposits described by previous authors are discussed in detail. In addition to the taxonomic description of the new material, the occurrence and stratigraphic position of this species within the Siwalik Hills are re-evaluated. Except for the holotype, the specimens assigned to this species are very fragmentary. The newly discovered material, a right mandibular ramus containing teeth, is the best preserved specimen found to date. The comparative analysis, based on tooth morphology and dimensions of previously reported specimens and of the specimen studied here, suggests that this species is restricted to the Chinji and Nagri formations. Finally, the dental morphological features of the studied specimen and those of other species of Percrocuta are compared, and then the phylogenetic relationship between these species is discussed. The described specimen is thus important for the taxonomic, stratigraphic and phylogenetic knowledge of P. carnifex from the Siwaliks.

Author Biographies

A. Ghaffar, Department of Zoology, Cholistan University of Veterinary & Animal Sciences (CUVAS), Bahawalpur, Punjab, Pakistan

Department of Zoology,  Professor

M. Akhtar, Department of Zoology, Minhaj University, Lahore

Zoology Department, Professor

M.A. Khan, Department of Zoology, University of the Punjab (PU), Lahore

Zoology Department, Assistant Professor

M. A. Babar, Department of Zoology, University of the Punjab (PU), Lahore

Zoology Department, Curator

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Published

2019-03-14

Issue

Vol. 17 (2019)

Section

Articles

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