Palaeictops multicuspis ( Granger, 1910 )

Velazco, Paúl M. & Novacek, Michael J., 2016, Systematics of the genus Palaeictops Matthew, 1899 (Mammalia: Leptictidae), with the description of two new species from the Middle Eocene of Utah and Wyoming, American Museum Novitates 2016 (3867), pp. 1-42 : 17-18

Palaeictops multicuspis ( Granger, 1910)

Figures 11–12 , table 1

Parictops multicuspis Granger, 1910: 250–251 .

Palaeictops multicuspis Van Valen, 1967: 232 . First use of current name combination.

HOLOTYPE AND ONLY SPECIMEN: AMNH 14741 , a left ramus with p2–m3 and a right ramus with p4–m3 and alveoli for a double-rooted p2, single rooted canine, and three incisors (figs. 11, 12).

TYPE LOCALITY: Alkali Creek (Buck Springs) of Wind River Basin, Wyoming. Lost Cabin Member, Wind River Formation, Lower Eocene (Wasatchian NALMA) .

DIAGNOSIS: Differs from other species of the genus (except P. robustus ) in its large size and deeper ramus. Also differs from other species (including P. robustus ) in having a trenchant p2 with four anteroposteriorly aligned cusps; p4 with very small anterior accessory cusps, two main cusps and two low cusps on the shortened heel; p5 with small, but distinct, cuspule at labial base of the paraconid. Similar to Palaeictops matthewi in having a trenchant p4 taller than p5 but differs from P. matthewi in having greater number of cusps on p2 and p4. Similar to Prodiacodon and Myrmecoboides in having lower molar entoconulids, but differs from these taxa in showing characters that diagnose Palaeictops (e.g., large, swollen p5 paraconid).

REMARKS: See Novacek (1977).

Figures

FIG. 11. Left ramus of Palaeictops multicuspis AMNH 14741 (holotype), including p2–m3, in (clockwise from upper left) medial, occlusal, and lateral views. Scale bar = 1 cm.

FIG. 12. Right ramus of Palaeictops multicuspis AMNH 14741 (holotype), including p4–m3 and alveoli for a double-rooted p2, single rooted canine, and three incisors, in (clockwise from upper left) lateral, occlusal, and medial views. Scale bar = 1 cm.