The sthenurine affinity of the Late Miocene kangaroo,Hadronomas puckridgiWoodburne (Marsupialia, Macropodidae)

Abstract

Previous studies of the dentition and cranial base of Hadronomas puckridgi Woodburne suggested that this large, Late Miocene kangaroo might be related to the Sthenurinae. A recently recovered specimen, in which the neurocranium, rostrum and some of the incisors are preserved, reveals a more definite affinity with the sthenurines in its possession of laterally expanded postorbital crests of the frontals, reduced I2 accompanied by enlarged I3, the presence of a well-developed posterior mental foramen, a deep, posteriorly situated digastric eminence and elevated pterygoid fossa of the dentary.