Simplomys, García-Paredes & Peláez-Campomanes & Álvarez-Sierra, 2009

García-Paredes, Israel, Peláez-Campomanes, Pablo & Álvarez-Sierra, M. Ángeles, 2009, Gliridae (Rodentia, Mammalia) with a simple dental pattern: a new genus and new species from the European Early and Middle Miocene, Zoological Journal of the Linnean Society 157 (3), pp. 622-652 : 645-646

publication ID

https://doi.org/ 10.1111/j.1096-3642.2009.00527.x

persistent identifier

https://treatment.plazi.org/id/03D5878B-1752-AB6B-FC33-67409FA31BA4

treatment provided by

Felipe

scientific name

Simplomys
status

 

REMARKS ON PSEUDODRYOMYS

After proposing the genus Simplomys gen. nov., Pseudodryomys is restricted to species having a complex dental pattern and fully developed third molars and premolars.

The differences between Pseudodryomys and Miodyromys , Prodryomys , and Peridyromys are not clear. Possible synonymy of these genera has been suggested by Daams & de Bruijn (1995) and Daams (1999). Several examples showing this problem can be cited. The species ‘ Dryomys ’ brailloni originally described by Thaler, 1966 has been included in Pseudodryomys (e.g. Flandrin, Mein & Truc, 1968; Daams, 1974; Adrover, 1978; Hugueney et al., 1992), in Peridyromys (e.g. Baudelot & de Bonis, 1966; Aguilar, 1974; Agustí, 1981; Tobien, Fahlbusch & Mayr, 1987; Hugueney & Ringeade, 1990; Sigé et al., 1991), and finally placed in Prodryomys (e.g. Wu, 1993; Daams & de Bruijn, 1995; Daams, 1999). Wu (1990) discussed the problems in distinguishing Peridyromys from Prodryomys .

We consider Prodryomys a genus with clear distinctive features that can be used to distinguish it from Pseudodryomys as has been pointed out by García- Paredes (2006). In Pseudodryomys the ridges are higher, thicker, more slanting, and the valleys are narrower than in Prodryomys . The upper molars of Pseudodryomys show a more asymmetrical trigon and centrolophs than Prodryomys . In the latter genus, the P4 is relatively larger and its morphology is more similar to that of the molars than in Pseudodryomys .

Therefore, we agree with Freudenthal & Martín- Suárez (2006) in excluding Prodryomys from the possible synonymy of Pseudodryomys , Peridyromys , Miodyromys , and Prodryomys suggested by Daams & de Bruijn (1995) and Daams (1999).

There are more difficulties in differentiating Pseudodryomys and Miodyromys because of the possible invalidity of Miodyromys as explained by Daams (1999). Some features have been used to distinguish species of Miodyromys from Ps. [= Simplomys ] simplicidens and Ps. [= Simplomys ] robustus but not from Ps. ibericus , the type species of the genus ( De Bruijn & Moltzer, 1974). This problem has not been solved yet, and according to Heissig (2006), Miodyromys and Pseudodryomys can be distinguished by the more simple teeth and higher ridges of the latter genus. Although this distinction is applicable to the ‘simplicidens-group’, it does not hold true for the type species of Pseudodryomys , Ps. ibericus .

Concerning Pseudodryomys and Peridyromys, Álvarez Sierra et al. (1991) considered Peridyromys to apply to those species with relatively small size, wide ridges, and relatively hypsodont teeth, and assigned to Pseudodryomys those species with wide and robust ridges and relatively deep valleys. In addition, De Bruijn (in De Bruijn et al., 2003) proposed the synonymy of Peridyromys and Myomimus Ognev, 1924 , trying to solve an old controversy involving both genera ( De Bruijn, Dawson & Mein, 1970; De Bruijn & Moltzer, 1974; Adrover, 1978; Agustí, 1981; Daams, 1981).

The situation involving the genera Pseudodryomys , Peridyromys , Miodyromys , and also Myomimus is a complex problem not yet solved. A separate study is necessary to establish uniform and clear diagnostic criteria for these problematic genera, but this question is out of the scope of this paper. However, the proposal of Simplomys gen. nov. makes this problem a bit less complicated.

Kingdom

Animalia

Phylum

Chordata

Class

Mammalia

Order

Rodentia

Family

Gliridae

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