ABSTRACT
Lagomorph specimens collected in 1925 by the Central Asiatic Expedition from the late middle Eocene Sharamurun Formation at Ula Usu, Shara Murun Region of Inner Mongolia, are described. These specimens belong to Gobiolagus tolmachovi and a new species, G. burkei. Gobiolagus burkei sp. nov. is similar to other species of the genus in having the pear-shaped p4 trigonid, short talonid on p4 and m1, talonid transverse and shorter than trigonid except for m2, enamel ridge connecting the trigonid and talonid at the lingual side, p4 significantly smaller than m1, and m2 the largest cheek teeth. It differs from other species in being smaller and having lower crowned cheek teeth, incisor ventral to cheek teeth so that a lingual protuberance is absent, and incisor extending posteriorly below the talonid of m2. It further differs from G. tolmachovi and G. andrewsi in having a less reduced p4 talonid. Eocene lagomorph genera and species are briefly reviewed. Diagnoses are emended or provided for G. tolmachovi, G. andrewsi, G. lii, Lushilagus, Shamolagus, Hypsimylus, Strenulagus, and Dituberolagus. Two Eocene species of Desmatolagus, D. vetustus and D. ardynense, are also discussed. Photographs of holotype specimens housed in the American Museum of Natural History are presented.
Jin Meng. Division of Paleontology, American Museum of Natural History, Central Park West at 79th St., New York, NY 10024, USA.
Yaoming Hu. Division of Paleontology, American Museum of Natural History, Central Park West at 79th St., New York, NY 10024, USA.
Institute of Vertebrate Paleontology and Paleoanthropology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, PO Box 643, Beijing 100044, China.
Biology Program, Graduate School and City College of New York, City University of New York, New York, NY 10016, USA.
Chuankui Li. Institute of Vertebrate Paleontology and Paleoanthropology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, PO Box 643, Beijing 100044, China.
KEY WORDS: lagomorphs, Eocene, taxonomy, holotype, Asia
PE Article Number: 8.1.7
Copyright: Society of Vertebrate Paleontology May 2005
Submission: 5 September 2004. Acceptance: 25 April 2005.
