Systematics and paleobiogeography of Sardolagus obscurus n. gen n. sp. (Leporidae, Lagomorpha) from the early Pleistocene of Sardinia.

摘要: The extreme rareness of Sardinian fossil sites older than Middle and Late Pleistocene makes the Monte Tuttavista karst complex (E Sardinia, Italy) very important. Remarkable lagomorph material, recovered from several fissure infillings referable to Capo Figari/Orosei 1 Orosei 2 faunal sub-complexes (early Pleistocene, ∼2.1/1.9–1.1 Ma), allowed us describe a new endemic insular leporid, Sardolagus obscurus n. gen. sp. taxon is characterized by peculiar combination an advanced p3 (Lepus-type) primitive P2 lacking deep flexa. origin such discrepancy, unprecedented among continental European leporids, unclear. It could be result of: (1) independent evolution ancestor bearing P2/p3 (e.g., Alilepus, Hypolagus), or (2) selective reversal morphocline Oryctolagus/Lepus-like leporine. lack data about phylogenetic any inference its possible arrival Sardinia problematic. Crossing leporid records evidence migrations we hypothesize three ages in which have arrived restricted late Miocene-early/late Pliocene (∼8–3.6 Ma). relationship between oldest recorded Mannu D1 dated at early/late boundary (∼3.6 unclear present, however it quite likely that they pertain same lineage.