First complete skulls of Elomeryx crispus (Gervais, 1849) and of Protaceratherium albigense (Roman, 1912) from a new Oligocene locality near Moissac (SW France)

Abstract

ABSTRACT A new fossiliferous locality is reported from southwestern France (Moissac III) that yielded two skulls referred to the anthracotheriid Elomeryx crispus and the rhinocerotid Protaceratherium albigense, and an isolated rodent tooth. The anthracotheriid skull indicates a close relationship with E. borbonicus based on its cranial morphology. The rhinocerotid skull improves our knowledge concerning its anterior dentition, cranial morphology and proportions, and enables a more precise specific diagnosis. We suggest an early late Oligocene biochronological age (Mammal Paleogene European reference level MP25-26) for Moissac III, which is substantiated by the co-occurrence of P. albigense and of the theridomyid rodent Issiodoromys cf. pauffiensis. The European stratigraphic range of E. crispus, so far restricted to the late Eocene-early Oligocene interval (MP18-MP22), extends up to the MP25-26, which in turn supports an origination of ‘Miocene bothriodontines’ from a European ancestor.