Acta Zoologica Cracoviensia, 41(1) 1998

Issue:

VOL 41(1) 1998

Keywords:

Didelphidae, Amphilemuridae, Nyctitheriidae, Headonian

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Mammalian periotic bones from the Eocene deposits at Hordle, Hampshire

• Christopher A. NORRIS
• David L. HARRISON

Abstract:

Three specimens of isolated mammalian periotic (petrosal) bones are described from the Upper Eocene Beds of Hordle Cliff. One specimen is identified as a didelphid marsupial, possibly of the genus Amphiperatherium. The remaining specimens are identi­fied as periotics of lipotyphlan insectivores. The larger specimen is identified as an erinaceomorph and exhibits similarities to both amphilemurids and dormaaliids. It is possible that it represents the first specimen of a periotic from the amphilemurid Gesneropithex grisollensis, although this cannot be confirmed on the basis of periotic morphology alone. The smaller of the two specimens may represent a nyctithere, possibly Scraeva or Saturninia, but the fragmentary and isolated nature of the specimen makes confirmation of its identity impossible. Although the identification of the three specimens remains tentative, they are notable as the first examples of basicranial remains from these groups in the Eo­cene of Britain.