Dryomimus eliomyoides, Striczky & Pazonyi, 2014

Striczky, L. & Pazonyi, P., 2014, Taxonomic study of the dormice (Gliridae, Mammalia) fauna from the late Early Pleistocene Somssich Hill 2 locality (Villány Hills, South Hungary) and its palaeoecological implications, Fragmenta Palaeontologica Hungarica 31, pp. 51-81 : 66-68

Dryomimus eliomyoides Kretzoi, 1959

1959 Dryomimus eliomyoides n. g. n. sp. – KRETZOI, p. 240.

Description – P 4: Brachyodont, oval shaped tooth, which is prolated sideward. The paracone and the metacone emerge markedly on the labial side. The occlusal surface of the tooth is concave, with six main ridges. All ridges are joined on palatinal side with the endoloph, and are slightly arched anteriorly. The second and third ridges (protoloph and anterior centraloph) as well as the fourth and the fifth ridges (posterior centraloph and metaloph) are joined on the labial side. The anterior and posterior extra ridges are absent.

M 1: Rounded, oval shaped tooth, which is bigger than P 4. The occlusal surface is similar to P 4, but the ridges are more linear than in the case of the former one.

M 2: Angled oval shaped tooth, which is smaller than M 1. The occlusal surface is similar to the above mentioned ones, but the ridges are slightly arched posteriorly.

M 1: The shape of the tooth is oval, which has anterior, oblique orientation. There are five, anteriorly arched ridges on the occlusal surface. The first and the second ridges (anterolophid and metalophid) are joined on both sides, whereas the third ridge (centralophid) is joined only on the labial side to the former ones. Fourth and fifth ridges (mesolophid and posterolophid) are joined on the labial side, and compose a “U” shape.

M 2: The tooth is elongated anteriorly; the posterior end is firmly arched. There are six, anteriorly arched ridges on the occlusal surface. The first and the second ridges (anterolophid and metalophid) are joined on both sides, whereas the third ridge (centralophid) is joined only on the labial side to the former ones. Fourth and sixth ridges (mesolophid and posterolophid) are joined on the labial side. Fifth ridge (posterior extra ridge) is isolated between the former ones.

Remarks – Generally four or five ridges are found on the teeth. These ridges, mainly on the labial side, but sometimes on both sides, join. The unique markings of occlusal surface (“U” shapes) were evolved by connection of third and fourth or fourth and fifth ridges. Size of teeth is similar to Glis sackdillingensis ( KRETZOI 1959) .

Altogether, 1 P 4, 2 M 1, 2 M 2, 1 M 1, and 1 M 2 teeth of D. eliomyoides were found from the Somssich Hill 2 locality ( Fig. 9 ). It is the latest occurrence of Dryomimus eliomyoides , which was earlier described only from Pliocene (Csarnóta 2: JÁNOSSY 1986; Calta (Ankara): SEN et al. 1998; Kastoria 1: KOUFOS 2001) and Early Pleistocene (Osztramos 7, Villány 3: JÁNOSSY 1986; Tourkovounia 1: KOUFOS 2001) localities. Although, D. eliomyoides was the most infrequent dormice at the locality, this species appeared also in such layers where other glirids were absent (layers 19, 42, 44). This result maybe indicates that D. eliomyoides preferred different environment than the other dormice.

Figures

Fig. 9. Dryomimus eliomyoides teeth from Somssich Hill 2 locality