Volume 131(2), pp. 117-135
Thierry Smith (1) (email for reprint) and Richard Smith (2)
(1) Département de Paléontologie, Institut Royal des Sciences naturelles de Belgique, Rue Vautier 29, B-1000 Bruxelles, Belgique
(2) Laekenveld 6, B-1780 Wemmel, Belgique
The creodonts (Mammalia, Ferae) from the Paleocene-Eocene transition in Belgium (Tienen Formation, MP7)
Abstract:
Study of the dental remains of creodont mammals from the Paleocene-Eocene transition in Belgium (Tienen Formation, reference-level MP7) allows seven species to be recognized, four of which belong to the family Hyaenodontidae and three to the Oxyaenidae. The four hyaenodontid species, which are new to science, present numerous symplesiomorphic characteristics. They represent the oldest hyaenodontids of northern Europe and are shown to be the most primitive representatives of the sub-family Hyaenodontinae known so far. They are closely related to the oldest North American species but the morphologica1 differences between them demonstrate that they are not vicariant species. Thus, the Belgian species could be at the origin of the American hyaenodontid lineages or belong to lineages already distinct but recently differentiated from common ancestors slightly older than both of these species groups. As for oxyaenids, their dental morphology shows that they could originate from the North American Paleocene lineages, although their small size does not support this hypothesis. The smallest Belgian creodont, Prototomus minimus n. sp. is remarkable in that it may present sexua1 dimorphism in mandibular morphology.
Key words:mammals, creodonts, Paleocene-Eocene transition, MP7, Belgium.
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