Beitrag
Ameniscomys selenoides, an enigmatic aplodontiid rodent from the Early Miocene of Central Europe: a revision of the taxon based on new fossil evidence
Čermák, Stanislav
Palaeontographica Abteilung A (2025)
98 Literaturangaben
Online veröffentlicht: Aug 12, 2025
Manuskript akzeptiert: Jul 15, 2025
Manuskript erhalten: Jun 26, 2024
DOI: 10.1127/pala/0169
Abstract
Although aplodontioids are relatively common in North American Cenozoic faunas, they are rare and poorly understood in Europe. This is particularly true for Ameniscomys selenoides, which has remained enigmatic not only due to its peculiar phenotype, but also because it was previously known only from its type locality, Wintershof-West (MN3, Germany). Since its original description in 1950, no detailed revisions of the taxon have been conducted. However, the unique and hitherto most abundant fossil material of A. selenoides, collected in recent years from Ahníkov (MN3, Czech Republic), has enabled a detailed examination of both its dental and jaw morphology. The new material was analyzed alongside a revision of the type material. This study provides robust evidence that A. selenoides possesses a highly distinctive phenotype and exhibits substantial biochronological-geographical remoteness. This European taxon cannot be co-identified with any previously known subfamily and is classified within the newly established monotaxonomic subfamily Ameniscomyinae, described herein. European aplodontiid taxa are discussed in the global context of the phylogeny and paleobiogeographic distribution of Aplodontioidea. The available fossil record does not support the presence of direct autochthonous ancestors of A. selenoides in Europe. The origin of Ameniscomyinae may tentatively be traced to East Asia, with subsequent evolution confined to Eurasia.
Schlagworte
Aplodontiidae • Ameniscomyinae subfam. nov. • Czech Republic • Ahníkov • Early Miocene