Arrhinolemur scalabrinii Ameghino, 1898, of the late Miocene : a taxonomic journey from the Mammalia to the Anostomidae (Ostariophysi: Characiformes)

Sergio Bogan,Federico Agnolin,Richard P Vari,Brian Sidlauskas

doi:10.1590/s1679-62252012000300008

Sergio Bogan, Federico Agnolin + Show 2 more

Open Access

https://doi.org/10.1590/s1679-62252012000300008

Copy DOI

Abstract

The fossil species Arrhinolemur scalabrinii, which was described from late Miocene deposits of Entre Ríos, Argentina, is reevaluated. Whereas the species was originally placed in the Primates (Mammalia) and later made the unique member of the order Arrhinolemuroidea within the Mammalia, our analysis indicates that the specimen is rather a fish of the genus Leporinus, family Anostomidae (Characiformes). The species is redescribed, and the characters that support its new generic assignment are discussed.

Highlights

Vertebrate remains in the fossil record are nearly invariably incomplete, an impediment that often complicates the interpretation of the phylogenetic position of many specimens
The species was described by Ameghino (1898) on the basis of a single small, incomplete skull collected in the vicinity of the city of Paraná, Entre Ríos Province, Argentina
We describe and illustrate the fossil and conclude that it clearly represents a species of Leporinus, a widely distributed genus of characiform fishes within the South American family Anostomidae

Summary

Introduction

Vertebrate remains in the fossil record are nearly invariably incomplete, an impediment that often complicates the interpretation of the phylogenetic position of many specimens. This problem results in the paleontological literature being replete with misidentifications at many taxonomic levels. A half century later, Simpson (1945) briefly reviewed the holotype of Arrhinolemur and in a dramatic shift proposed that its relationships lay not with mammals, but that the fossil instead most likely represented an unidentified type of fish. We describe and illustrate the fossil and conclude that it clearly represents a species of Leporinus, a widely distributed genus of characiform fishes within the South American family Anostomidae. Arrhinolemur scalabrinii - a taxonomic journey from the Mammalia to the Anostomidae

Material and Methods

Discussion

Literature Cited