Chalicotheriidae (Mammalia, Perissodactyla) from the Lufengpithecus locality of Lufeng, Yunnan Province, China

摘要

Shihuiba in the Lufeng Basin, Yunnan Province, China, is a very important hominoid locality. Chalicotheriidae from this locality are referred to Anisodon yuanmouensis based on the size and morphology of the cheek teeth. This species has a variable protoloph on upper molars, a markedly three-lophed' structure on P4, longer M2 than M3 and narrower lower cheek teeth than other species in this genus. Including specimens described in this paper, this species has been found from the Yuanmou and Lufeng basins in Yunnan Province, China and the Irrawaddy Formation in Myanmar. Relationships within Anisodon are proposed wherein Anisodon salinus constitutes a sister group with Anisodon yuanmouensis. The absence of Anisodon to the north of the Tibetan Plateau likely indicates the uplift of the plateau to an elevation which prevented the free immigration of anisodonts during the Mid-Late Miocene. The appearance of Anisodon in the Lufeng hominoid fauna confirms a subtropical forest local environment.