1,050
Views
10
CrossRef citations to date
0
Altmetric
FEATURED ARTICLE

A nearly complete skeleton of Ernanodon (Mammalia, Palaeanodonta) from Mongolia: morphofunctional analysis

&
Pages 983-1001 | Received 26 May 2011, Accepted 04 May 2012, Published online: 28 Aug 2012
 

ABSTRACT

Ernanodon, one of the most enigmatic Asian fossil mammals, was previously known by a single specimen from the late Paleocene (Nongshanian) of China. Here we document the first record of Ernanodon from Mongolia, represented by a nearly complete skeleton from the late Paleocene (Gashatan) of the Naran Bulak locality. The new material provides an opportunity to understand the lifestyle and habits of this rare mammal and reevaluate the arguments used to establish the phylogenetic relationships of Ernanodon. Functional analysis indicates that Ernanodon had very strong forelimbs with large claws and used its forelimbs for scratch-digging. Character analysis reveals numerous similarities in postcranial anatomy between Ernanodon and Palaeanodonta. Phylogenetic analysis supports inclusion of Ernanodon in the order Palaeanodonta and suggests that Palaeanodonta and Pholidota are sister groups.

ACKNOWLEDGMENTS

This work was supported by the Russian Basic Research Foundation, projects 11-04-00933-a and 11-06-12030-ofi-m-2011; by the program, “Historical Dynamics of Biological Resources and Importance of Their Conservation and Use”; and by the program, “Origin and Evolution of the Biosphere.” We thank two anonymous reviewers for comments and suggestions that helped to improve the manuscript.

Handling editor: Blaire Van Valkenburgh

Reprints and Corporate Permissions

Please note: Selecting permissions does not provide access to the full text of the article, please see our help page How do I view content?

To request a reprint or corporate permissions for this article, please click on the relevant link below:

Academic Permissions

Please note: Selecting permissions does not provide access to the full text of the article, please see our help page How do I view content?

Obtain permissions instantly via Rightslink by clicking on the button below:

If you are unable to obtain permissions via Rightslink, please complete and submit this Permissions form. For more information, please visit our Permissions help page.