Taxonomic revision of Anthracokeryx thailandicus Ducrocq, 1999 (Anthracotheriidae, Microbunodontinae) from the upper Eocene of Thailand
Résumé
The anthracotheriid (Mammalia, Cetartiodactyla) species Anthracokeryx thailandicus from the Upper Eocene of Thailand is redescribed in details and a revision of its phylogenetic position within the family is proposed. A combination of important dental differences has been observed that led to attribute the Thai form to a distinct genus, Geniokeryx gen. nov., which represents the third genus included into the Microbunodontinae. The new genus is characterized mainly by its unfused short and deep mandibular symphysis, massive lower and upper premolars, weakly selenodont upper molars that exhibit a protostyle and lack an ectometacristule. The peculiar morphology of its symphysis might have been a sexually dimorphic feature that provided the role of a lateral protection for the enlarged upper canine in males as seen in some Paleogene nimravid carnivorans like Eusmilus. A short review of some Anthracokeryx species from China suggests that A. dawsoni might be synonymous to A. sinensis.