Crusafontina sp.1

Zazhigin, Vladimir S. & Voyta, Leonid L., 2022, New Neogene anourosoricin shrews from northern Asia, Palaeontologia Electronica (a 29) 25 (3), pp. 1-36 : 17

Crusafontina sp.1

Figure 6C

1996 Paranourosorex sp. 1 Storch and Zazhigin, p. 261, fig. 4a.

2004 Crusafontina? vandeweerdi ? van Dam, p. 763.

Material. Isolated left M1 (GIN 640/1004) from Pavlodar 1A locality (Appendix 2: 5) .

Description. The large and moderately worn first upper molar displays clearly defined crown features. The buccal crests are expressed W-shaped line like a condition of Paranourosorex ( Figures 6D cf. 7G). The metaconule is absent; the short metaloph is similar to the Paranourosorex condition and has a weak broadening of the base (‘poorly developed metaconule’ by van Dam 2004: 752) and contacts with the metacone base. The hypocone is elongated in the base and shifts to the lingual margin of the flange. The posterior emargination is well-expressed; the hypoconal flange is protruded posteriorly and narrow in shape.

Measurements. BL(M1) = 2.54 mm; AW(M1) = 2.68 mm; PW(M1) = 2.56 mm; LL(M1) = 2.42 mm; PE(M1) = 2.07 mm (abbr. see in Appendix 3).

Remarks. The M1 is slightly larger than the known M1 of C. vandeweerdi (BL = 2.48 mm, AW = 2.58 mm, see van Dam, 2004: 750) and distinctly larger than other species of Crusafontina . The crown features of M1 such as the buccal crests shape and the buccal outline are similar to Paranourosorex conditions. This fact did not lead Storch and Zazhigin (1996) to determine this molar as a Crusafontina . On the other hand, the authors could not associate this molar to Paranourosorex without a doubt because it has deep posterior emargination, contact between the metaloph and the base of the metacone and the narrow hypoconal flange. Later, van Dam (2004) supposed the conspecifity of the Pavlodar’s form and the new Spanish species C. vandeweerdi (Teruel Basin, MN 12), pointed its intermediate feature conditions to both Crusafontina and Paranourosorex . The species has Crusafontina -like p4 with a central crest and distinct posterolingual basin; the ecto- and entocingulids of p4 are absent. We determined the Pavlodar’s molar as Crusafontina sp. 1 due to the absence of any tooth material for more detailed comparisons with type materials of C. vandeweerdi .

Stratigraphic and geographic range. Crusafontina sp. 1 known only from the single Kazakh locality, Pavlodar 1A, late Miocene Pavlodar Formation (Turolian, MN 12).

Figures

FIGURE 6. Teeth and bones of Paranourosorex seletiensis Storch and Zazhigin, 1996 (A, B), Crusafontina sp. 1, (C), Crusafontina sp. 2 (D) and Paranourosorex intermedius sp. nov. (E). A, GIN 951/1000 (holotype) from SLT/1A, left hemimandible fragment (cut image) with m1 and m2 in occlusal view (A2, magnified m2); B, GIN 951/1001 (paratype) from SLT/1A, left P4 in occlusal view; C, GIN 640/1004 from PVL/1A, left M1 in occlusal view; D, GIN 951/1003 SLT/ 1A, left P4 in occlusal view; E, GIN 948/1051 (holotype) from NST/1A, right dentary fragment with m1 and m2 (E1, occlusal view; E2, lateral view E3, medial view;). Scale bars equal 1 mm.