Title:

A spiny distribution: new data from Berg Aukas I (middle Miocene, Namibia) on the African dispersal of Erinaceidae (Eulipotyphla, Mammalia)

Author(s):
Publication Year:
2021
Abstract:

Material of Erinaceidae (Eulipotyphla, Mammalia) from Berg Aukas I (late middle Miocene, Namibia) is described. Originally identified as belonging to the gymnure Galerix, the specimens from Berg Aukas I are herein attributed to the hedgehog Amphechinus cf. rusingensis, and they represent the last known occurence of Amphechinus in Africa. Its persistence in Northern Namibia may have been favoured by its generalist palaeoecology and the heterogeneous aridification of southern Africa during the middle Miocene. In addition, an update of the data acquired on African Erinaceidae is provided: a migration of the Galericinae to southern Africa is no longer supported; all attributions of African middle Miocene to Pliocene material to the genus Galerix are considered to be improbable; at least two migratory waves of Schizogalerix are recognized in northern Africa with S. cf. anatolica in the late middle Miocene (Pataniak 6, Morocco) and S. aff. macedonica in the late Miocene (Sidi Ounis, Tunisia). Keywords : Erinaceidae, Amphechinus, Biogeography, Miocene, Africa.

Publication Title:

Communications of the Geological Survey of Namibia

Publisher:
Geological Survey of Namibia
Volume:
23
Pages:
178-185
Item Type:
Journal Article
Language:
en
Keywords: