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Chiara Angelone - One of the best experts on this subject based on the ideXlab platform.
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The most ancient evidence of a diseased lagomorph: Infectious paleopathology in a tibiofibular bone (Middle Miocene, Germany)
Comptes Rendus Palevol, 2019Co-Authors: Blanca Moncunill-solé, Chiara Angelone, Albert Isidro, Alejandro Blanco, Gertrud E. Rössner, Xavier JordanaAbstract:Abstract Few pathological cases have been identified in fossils of small mammals. Here we report the most ancient paleopathological evidence identified in a lagomorph (Ochotonidae, middle Miocene). The tibiofibular bone was macro- and microscopically (μCT) inspected to provide a diagnosis, an etiology, and its possible relationship with the individual's cause of death. Osteogenesis (reactive bone growth) and osteolysis, processes related with neoplasms and infections, are identified in the abnormal bony region. Its location (juxta-articular) and morphology allow us to identify it as a joint infection (septic arthritis) consequential of a violent mechanism, such as a bite. Both the origin of bone accumulation (avian pellets) and the poor vital state of the specimen (with a joint infection) point to predation as the most probable cause of death. Up to now, lagomorph paleopathologies had only been described in insular populations, and the present one is the first evidence in a mainland specimen.
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comparing the body mass variations in endemic insular species of the genus prolagus Ochotonidae lagomorpha in the pleistocene of sardinia italy
Rivista Italiana Di Paleontologia E Stratigrafia, 2016Co-Authors: Blanca Moncunill Sole, Marisa Arca, Caterinella Tuveri, Chiara AngeloneAbstract:Prolagus figaro and P. sardus are part of an endemic insular anagenetic lineage that populated Sardinia since the earliest Late Pliocene to Holocene. BM of some populations of these two species was calculated using regression models. The best BM proxies for Prolagus are: femur length, zeugopod measurements and distal humerus diameter. The anagenetic lineage show a BM increase of ca 20% from the populations of P. figaro (398−436 g) to P. sardus (504−525 g). The trend shown by the size of lower third premolar, even if not directly comparable with BM, is opposite (ca -30% at the transition P. figaro − P. sardus ). Compared to P . cf. calpensis , a continental species of similar age, BM of P. figaro is ca +25%. The comparison with the insular endemic P. apricenicus evidenced differences in BM range and timespan required to attain it, due to the different size and palaeogeographical situation of the islands. Insular endemic Prolagus follow the small mammal pattern of Island Rule. Mein’s (1983) biphasic model seems applicable to the evolution of P. figaro . A tachytelic phase followed by a bradytelic one seems to characterize also the appearance of P. sardus , at least for dental traits, a process probably triggered by important variations of abiotic and biotic traits of the environment, as indicated by the turnover that marks the onset of the Dragonara subcomplex. The prediction of life history traits and other biological attributes of Sardinian Prolagus using BM should be considered with caution due to the complexity of ecological selective regimes of Sardinia.
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mn10 prolagus Ochotonidae lagomorpha from austria a new tile for the central european palaeobiogeography of the genus
Neues Jahrbuch Fur Geologie Und Palaontologie-abhandlungen, 2015Co-Authors: Chiara Angelone, Kristof VeitscheggerAbstract:In the framework of the renewed interest for the study of lagomorph taxonomy and palaeobiogeography in Central Europe, we studied the remains attributed to the genus Prolagus in the MN10 of Austria and recognized two species: P. aff. crusafonti (Richardhof-Wald, early MN10) and Prolagus sp. (Schernham, late MN10). Our results suggest that the evolution of the genus Prolagus followed different pathways in eastern Central Europe at least since early Late Miocene and evidences that the palaeobiogeography of Prolagus in European Late Miocene is much more complicated than previously expected.
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Complement to the study of the pikas (Lagomorpha, Ochotonidae) from the Middle Miocene of Gratkorn, Austria
Palaeobiodiversity and Palaeoenvironments, 2014Co-Authors: Chiara Angelone, Jérôme Prieto, Martin GrossAbstract:An update about the Middle Miocene ochotonids (Lagomorpha, Mammalia) from Gratkorn, Austria, is presented. The presence of Prolagus oeningensis (König, 1825), previously attested based on the description of two well-preserved lower mandibles is confirmed, and complementary material is added. In addition, isolated teeth of a rooted ochtonid allow the recognition of the presence of cf. Eurolagus fontannesi (Depéret, 1887). A third ochotonid (Ochotonidae indet.), characterised by large-sized and ever-growing teeth, is another new element of the Gratkorn assemblage, although it cannot be taxonomically assigned, even at the genus level, because of the lack of diagnostic material. The fossil community is discussed in the central and eastern European context during Sarmatian times.
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The small mammals from Gratkorn: an overview
Palaeobiodiversity and Palaeoenvironments, 2014Co-Authors: Jérôme Prieto, Chiara Angelone, Martin Gross, Isaac Casanovas-vilar, Lars W. Hoek Ostende, Lutz Christian Maul, Davit VasilyanAbstract:The rich and diverse fossil mammalian assemblage from Gratkorn (Middle Miocene, Austria) is of primary importance for the understanding of the faunal evolution in Central Europe. Besides large mammals, the fauna comprises: Schizogalerix voesendorfensis , Galericinae gen. et sp. indet., Desmanodon fluegeli, Dinosorex sp., cf. Myotis sp., “ Cricetodon ” fandli, Megacricetodon minutus, Eumyarion sp., Spermophilinus bredai, Blackia sp., Forsythia gaudryi, Albanensia albanensis, Muscardinus aff. sansaniensis, Miodyromys sp., Keramidomys sp., Euroxenomys minutus minutus, Prolagus oeningensis, cf. Eurolagus fontannesi and Ochotonidae indet. Based on the degree of corrosion on the dental elements and the presence of pellets, most, but not all, of the material is tentatively interpreted as a result of accumulation by nocturnal raptors. In addition to the information provided by the lower vertebrates and the molluscs, which occur in abundance in the same thin fossil-enriched layer, the mammal fauna gives a mixed picture of the environment (basically forested vs. open landscape). This could indicate the presence of different microhabitats around the excavation place, but may also be a taphonomical artefact based on various different agents of accumulation contributing to the thanatocoenosis. Nevertheless, the extreme quick accumulation of the fossils provides an exceptional windows in the late Sarmatian s. str. ecosystems.
Pedro J Esteves - One of the best experts on this subject based on the ideXlab platform.
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The Immune System of Lagomorphs
Encyclopedia of Immunobiology, 2020Co-Authors: Rose G. Mage, Ana Pinheiro, Ana Lemos De Matos, Pedro J EstevesAbstract:The order Lagomorpha is composed of two families. Ochotonidae consist of a single genus Ochotona (Pikas) and Leporidae include 11 genera. Studies of Leporidae have made and continue to make major contributions to knowledge of immunobiology and evolution. Comparisons between immune systems of several mammals revealed that the European rabbit ( Oryctolagus cuniculus ) has unique features including a single IgG, 13 IgA, and a duplication of the IGK locus. The importance of gut microflora and gut-associated lymphoid tissues for the primary antibody diversification process was recognized in rabbit before current popular recognition of the importance of the gut microbiome. Comparisons of adaptive immune system genes in leporids showed that they are evolving under positive selection and that the divergences of both IGHV and MHC DQA alleles preceded the split of Leporid genera. Myxomatosis and rabbit hemorrhagic viral diseases that are nonpathogenic for other leporids affect the European rabbit. We discuss evolutionary and genetic aspects of important host candidate genes of the innate immune system that might explain the virus susceptibility versus resistance and highlight the roles of the European rabbit as an important model for autoimmune and infectious diseases and for the development and testing of therapeutics and preclinical investigations.
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Evolution of CCL16 in Glires (Rodentia and Lagomorpha) shows an unusual random pseudogenization pattern
BMC Evolutionary Biology, 2019Co-Authors: Fabiana Neves, Joana Abrantes, Ana M. Lopes, Luciana A. Fusinatto, Maria J. Magalhães, Pedro J EstevesAbstract:Background The C-C motif chemokine ligand 16 (CCL16) is a potent pro-inflammatory chemokine and a chemoattractant for monocytes and lymphocytes. In normal plasma, it is present at high concentrations and elicits its effects on cells by interacting with cell surface chemokine receptors. In the European rabbit and in rodents such as mouse, rat and guinea pig, CCL16 was identified as a pseudogene, while in the thirteen-lined ground squirrel it appears to be potentially functional. To gain insight into the evolution of this gene in the superorder Glires (rodents and lagomorphs), we amplified the CCL16 gene from eleven Leporidae and seven Ochotonidae species. Results We compared our sequences with CCL16 sequences of twelve rodent species retrieved from public databases. The data show that for all leporid species studied CCL16 is a pseudogene. This is primarily due to mutations at the canonical Cys Cys motif, creating either premature stop codons, or disrupting amino acid replacements. In the Mexican cottontail, CCL16 is pseudogenized due to a frameshift deletion. Additionally, in the exon 1 (signal peptide), there are frameshift deletions present in all leporids studied. In contrast, in Ochotona species, CCL16 is potentially functional, except for an allele in Hoffmann’s pika. In rodents, CCL16 is functional in a number of species, but patterns of pseudogenization similar to those observed in lagomorphs also exist. Conclusions Our results suggest that while functional in the Glires ancestor, CCL16 underwent pseudogenization in some species. This process occurred stochastically or in specific lineages at different moments in the evolution of Glires. These observations suggest that the CCL16 had different evolutionary constrains in the Glires group that could be associated with the CCL16 biological function.
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Evolution of CCL16 in Glires (Rodentia and Lagomorpha) shows an unusual random pseudogenization pattern.
BMC Evolutionary Biology, 2019Co-Authors: Fabiana Neves, Joana Abrantes, Ana M. Lopes, Luciana A. Fusinatto, Maria J. Magalhães, Pedro J EstevesAbstract:The C-C motif chemokine ligand 16 (CCL16) is a potent pro-inflammatory chemokine and a chemoattractant for monocytes and lymphocytes. In normal plasma, it is present at high concentrations and elicits its effects on cells by interacting with cell surface chemokine receptors. In the European rabbit and in rodents such as mouse, rat and guinea pig, CCL16 was identified as a pseudogene, while in the thirteen-lined ground squirrel it appears to be potentially functional. To gain insight into the evolution of this gene in the superorder Glires (rodents and lagomorphs), we amplified the CCL16 gene from eleven Leporidae and seven Ochotonidae species. We compared our sequences with CCL16 sequences of twelve rodent species retrieved from public databases. The data show that for all leporid species studied CCL16 is a pseudogene. This is primarily due to mutations at the canonical Cys Cys motif, creating either premature stop codons, or disrupting amino acid replacements. In the Mexican cottontail, CCL16 is pseudogenized due to a frameshift deletion. Additionally, in the exon 1 (signal peptide), there are frameshift deletions present in all leporids studied. In contrast, in Ochotona species, CCL16 is potentially functional, except for an allele in Hoffmann’s pika. In rodents, CCL16 is functional in a number of species, but patterns of pseudogenization similar to those observed in lagomorphs also exist. Our results suggest that while functional in the Glires ancestor, CCL16 underwent pseudogenization in some species. This process occurred stochastically or in specific lineages at different moments in the evolution of Glires. These observations suggest that the CCL16 had different evolutionary constrains in the Glires group that could be associated with the CCL16 biological function.
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Endogenization of mouse mammary tumor virus (MMTV)-like elements in genomes of pikas (Ochotona sp.)
Virus Research, 2015Co-Authors: Ana Lemos De Matos, Andrey A Lissovsky, José Melo-ferreira, Patricia De Sousa-pereira, Pedro J EstevesAbstract:Abstract Despite the finding in European rabbit and other leporid genomes of the first ever described endogenous lentivirus and of a European rabbit exclusive endogenous gammaretrovirus, until now no exogenous retroviruses have been isolated in Lagomorpha species. Nevertheless, looking for the presence of endogenous retroviruses (ERVs) in the species genomes could lead to the discovery of retroviral lineages yet to be found in Lagomorpha. Different mammalian genomes harbor endogenous viral sequences phylogenetically close to the betaretrovirus mouse mammary tumor virus (MMTV), propelling us to look for such retroviral “fossil” in American pika ( Ochotona princeps ) and European rabbit ( Oryctolagus cuniculus ) genomes. By performing genomic mining using MMTV gag and LTR as query sequences, we found that such viral elements were absent from the European rabbit genome. Oppositely, significant matches were found in American pika, and more importantly, a nearly complete MMTV-like virus (Pika-BERV) was identified. Using Pika-BERV gag and LTR as templates, we found similar sequences endogenized in different pika ( Ochotona sp.) species. The orthology of the LTR flanking region between some pika species supported shared ancestry of specific endogenous betaretroviruses, while in other pika species similar sequences, but not orthologous, should have resulted from independent insertions. Our study supports the possible existence of infecting exogenous betaretroviruses for a long term, after the divergence of Ochotonidae from Leporidae, but yet to be identified.
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pseudogenization of ccl14 in the Ochotonidae pika family
Innate Immunity, 2015Co-Authors: Fabiana Neves, Joana Abrantes, Andrey A Lissovsky, Pedro J EstevesAbstract:The interaction between chemokines and their receptors is crucial for inflammatory cell trafficking. CCL14 binds with high affinity to CCR5. In leporids, CCR5 underwent gene conversion with CCR2. The study of CCR5 ligands in leporid species showed that CCL8 is pseudogenized, while CCL3, CCL4 and CCL5 are functional. Here, we study the evolution of CCL14 in mammals with emphasis in the order Lagomorpha. By employing maximum likelihood methods we detected six sites under positive selection. Some of these sites are located in regions crucial for CCL14 activation and binding to receptors. Sequencing of CCL14 in Ochotona species showed that O. princeps, O. pallasi, O. alpina and O. turuchanensis have a mutation at the start codon (Met > Thr), while O. hoffmanni, O. mantchurica, O. dauurica and O. rufescens present the mammalian conserved Met. Ochotona hyperborea has the two alleles. In O. pusilla, CCL14 is a pseudogene due to a seven base pair insertion. Like CCL3, CCL4 and CCL5, CCL14 is functional in all lep...
Martin Gross - One of the best experts on this subject based on the ideXlab platform.
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Complement to the study of the pikas (Lagomorpha, Ochotonidae) from the Middle Miocene of Gratkorn, Austria
Palaeobiodiversity and Palaeoenvironments, 2014Co-Authors: Chiara Angelone, Jérôme Prieto, Martin GrossAbstract:An update about the Middle Miocene ochotonids (Lagomorpha, Mammalia) from Gratkorn, Austria, is presented. The presence of Prolagus oeningensis (König, 1825), previously attested based on the description of two well-preserved lower mandibles is confirmed, and complementary material is added. In addition, isolated teeth of a rooted ochtonid allow the recognition of the presence of cf. Eurolagus fontannesi (Depéret, 1887). A third ochotonid (Ochotonidae indet.), characterised by large-sized and ever-growing teeth, is another new element of the Gratkorn assemblage, although it cannot be taxonomically assigned, even at the genus level, because of the lack of diagnostic material. The fossil community is discussed in the central and eastern European context during Sarmatian times.
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The small mammals from Gratkorn: an overview
Palaeobiodiversity and Palaeoenvironments, 2014Co-Authors: Jérôme Prieto, Chiara Angelone, Martin Gross, Isaac Casanovas-vilar, Lars W. Hoek Ostende, Lutz Christian Maul, Davit VasilyanAbstract:The rich and diverse fossil mammalian assemblage from Gratkorn (Middle Miocene, Austria) is of primary importance for the understanding of the faunal evolution in Central Europe. Besides large mammals, the fauna comprises: Schizogalerix voesendorfensis , Galericinae gen. et sp. indet., Desmanodon fluegeli, Dinosorex sp., cf. Myotis sp., “ Cricetodon ” fandli, Megacricetodon minutus, Eumyarion sp., Spermophilinus bredai, Blackia sp., Forsythia gaudryi, Albanensia albanensis, Muscardinus aff. sansaniensis, Miodyromys sp., Keramidomys sp., Euroxenomys minutus minutus, Prolagus oeningensis, cf. Eurolagus fontannesi and Ochotonidae indet. Based on the degree of corrosion on the dental elements and the presence of pellets, most, but not all, of the material is tentatively interpreted as a result of accumulation by nocturnal raptors. In addition to the information provided by the lower vertebrates and the molluscs, which occur in abundance in the same thin fossil-enriched layer, the mammal fauna gives a mixed picture of the environment (basically forested vs. open landscape). This could indicate the presence of different microhabitats around the excavation place, but may also be a taphonomical artefact based on various different agents of accumulation contributing to the thanatocoenosis. Nevertheless, the extreme quick accumulation of the fossils provides an exceptional windows in the late Sarmatian s. str. ecosystems.
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complement to the study of the pikas lagomorpha Ochotonidae from the middle miocene of gratkorn austria
Palaeobiodiversity and Palaeoenvironments, 2014Co-Authors: Chiara Angelone, Jérôme Prieto, Martin GrossAbstract:An update about the Middle Miocene ochotonids (Lagomorpha, Mammalia) from Gratkorn, Austria, is presented. The presence of Prolagus oeningensis (Konig, 1825), previously attested based on the description of two well-preserved lower mandibles is confirmed, and complementary material is added. In addition, isolated teeth of a rooted ochtonid allow the recognition of the presence of cf. Eurolagus fontannesi (Deperet, 1887). A third ochotonid (Ochotonidae indet.), characterised by large-sized and ever-growing teeth, is another new element of the Gratkorn assemblage, although it cannot be taxonomically assigned, even at the genus level, because of the lack of diagnostic material. The fossil community is discussed in the central and eastern European context during Sarmatian times.
Fabiana Neves - One of the best experts on this subject based on the ideXlab platform.
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Evolution of CCL16 in Glires (Rodentia and Lagomorpha) shows an unusual random pseudogenization pattern.
BMC Evolutionary Biology, 2019Co-Authors: Fabiana Neves, Joana Abrantes, Ana M. Lopes, Luciana A. Fusinatto, Maria J. Magalhães, Pedro J EstevesAbstract:The C-C motif chemokine ligand 16 (CCL16) is a potent pro-inflammatory chemokine and a chemoattractant for monocytes and lymphocytes. In normal plasma, it is present at high concentrations and elicits its effects on cells by interacting with cell surface chemokine receptors. In the European rabbit and in rodents such as mouse, rat and guinea pig, CCL16 was identified as a pseudogene, while in the thirteen-lined ground squirrel it appears to be potentially functional. To gain insight into the evolution of this gene in the superorder Glires (rodents and lagomorphs), we amplified the CCL16 gene from eleven Leporidae and seven Ochotonidae species. We compared our sequences with CCL16 sequences of twelve rodent species retrieved from public databases. The data show that for all leporid species studied CCL16 is a pseudogene. This is primarily due to mutations at the canonical Cys Cys motif, creating either premature stop codons, or disrupting amino acid replacements. In the Mexican cottontail, CCL16 is pseudogenized due to a frameshift deletion. Additionally, in the exon 1 (signal peptide), there are frameshift deletions present in all leporids studied. In contrast, in Ochotona species, CCL16 is potentially functional, except for an allele in Hoffmann’s pika. In rodents, CCL16 is functional in a number of species, but patterns of pseudogenization similar to those observed in lagomorphs also exist. Our results suggest that while functional in the Glires ancestor, CCL16 underwent pseudogenization in some species. This process occurred stochastically or in specific lineages at different moments in the evolution of Glires. These observations suggest that the CCL16 had different evolutionary constrains in the Glires group that could be associated with the CCL16 biological function.
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Evolution of CCL16 in Glires (Rodentia and Lagomorpha) shows an unusual random pseudogenization pattern
BMC Evolutionary Biology, 2019Co-Authors: Fabiana Neves, Joana Abrantes, Ana M. Lopes, Luciana A. Fusinatto, Maria J. Magalhães, Pedro J EstevesAbstract:Background The C-C motif chemokine ligand 16 (CCL16) is a potent pro-inflammatory chemokine and a chemoattractant for monocytes and lymphocytes. In normal plasma, it is present at high concentrations and elicits its effects on cells by interacting with cell surface chemokine receptors. In the European rabbit and in rodents such as mouse, rat and guinea pig, CCL16 was identified as a pseudogene, while in the thirteen-lined ground squirrel it appears to be potentially functional. To gain insight into the evolution of this gene in the superorder Glires (rodents and lagomorphs), we amplified the CCL16 gene from eleven Leporidae and seven Ochotonidae species. Results We compared our sequences with CCL16 sequences of twelve rodent species retrieved from public databases. The data show that for all leporid species studied CCL16 is a pseudogene. This is primarily due to mutations at the canonical Cys Cys motif, creating either premature stop codons, or disrupting amino acid replacements. In the Mexican cottontail, CCL16 is pseudogenized due to a frameshift deletion. Additionally, in the exon 1 (signal peptide), there are frameshift deletions present in all leporids studied. In contrast, in Ochotona species, CCL16 is potentially functional, except for an allele in Hoffmann’s pika. In rodents, CCL16 is functional in a number of species, but patterns of pseudogenization similar to those observed in lagomorphs also exist. Conclusions Our results suggest that while functional in the Glires ancestor, CCL16 underwent pseudogenization in some species. This process occurred stochastically or in specific lineages at different moments in the evolution of Glires. These observations suggest that the CCL16 had different evolutionary constrains in the Glires group that could be associated with the CCL16 biological function.
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pseudogenization of ccl14 in the Ochotonidae pika family
Innate Immunity, 2015Co-Authors: Fabiana Neves, Joana Abrantes, Andrey A Lissovsky, Pedro J EstevesAbstract:The interaction between chemokines and their receptors is crucial for inflammatory cell trafficking. CCL14 binds with high affinity to CCR5. In leporids, CCR5 underwent gene conversion with CCR2. The study of CCR5 ligands in leporid species showed that CCL8 is pseudogenized, while CCL3, CCL4 and CCL5 are functional. Here, we study the evolution of CCL14 in mammals with emphasis in the order Lagomorpha. By employing maximum likelihood methods we detected six sites under positive selection. Some of these sites are located in regions crucial for CCL14 activation and binding to receptors. Sequencing of CCL14 in Ochotona species showed that O. princeps, O. pallasi, O. alpina and O. turuchanensis have a mutation at the start codon (Met > Thr), while O. hoffmanni, O. mantchurica, O. dauurica and O. rufescens present the mammalian conserved Met. Ochotona hyperborea has the two alleles. In O. pusilla, CCL14 is a pseudogene due to a seven base pair insertion. Like CCL3, CCL4 and CCL5, CCL14 is functional in all lep...
Jérôme Prieto - One of the best experts on this subject based on the ideXlab platform.
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Complement to the study of the pikas (Lagomorpha, Ochotonidae) from the Middle Miocene of Gratkorn, Austria
Palaeobiodiversity and Palaeoenvironments, 2014Co-Authors: Chiara Angelone, Jérôme Prieto, Martin GrossAbstract:An update about the Middle Miocene ochotonids (Lagomorpha, Mammalia) from Gratkorn, Austria, is presented. The presence of Prolagus oeningensis (König, 1825), previously attested based on the description of two well-preserved lower mandibles is confirmed, and complementary material is added. In addition, isolated teeth of a rooted ochtonid allow the recognition of the presence of cf. Eurolagus fontannesi (Depéret, 1887). A third ochotonid (Ochotonidae indet.), characterised by large-sized and ever-growing teeth, is another new element of the Gratkorn assemblage, although it cannot be taxonomically assigned, even at the genus level, because of the lack of diagnostic material. The fossil community is discussed in the central and eastern European context during Sarmatian times.
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The small mammals from Gratkorn: an overview
Palaeobiodiversity and Palaeoenvironments, 2014Co-Authors: Jérôme Prieto, Chiara Angelone, Martin Gross, Isaac Casanovas-vilar, Lars W. Hoek Ostende, Lutz Christian Maul, Davit VasilyanAbstract:The rich and diverse fossil mammalian assemblage from Gratkorn (Middle Miocene, Austria) is of primary importance for the understanding of the faunal evolution in Central Europe. Besides large mammals, the fauna comprises: Schizogalerix voesendorfensis , Galericinae gen. et sp. indet., Desmanodon fluegeli, Dinosorex sp., cf. Myotis sp., “ Cricetodon ” fandli, Megacricetodon minutus, Eumyarion sp., Spermophilinus bredai, Blackia sp., Forsythia gaudryi, Albanensia albanensis, Muscardinus aff. sansaniensis, Miodyromys sp., Keramidomys sp., Euroxenomys minutus minutus, Prolagus oeningensis, cf. Eurolagus fontannesi and Ochotonidae indet. Based on the degree of corrosion on the dental elements and the presence of pellets, most, but not all, of the material is tentatively interpreted as a result of accumulation by nocturnal raptors. In addition to the information provided by the lower vertebrates and the molluscs, which occur in abundance in the same thin fossil-enriched layer, the mammal fauna gives a mixed picture of the environment (basically forested vs. open landscape). This could indicate the presence of different microhabitats around the excavation place, but may also be a taphonomical artefact based on various different agents of accumulation contributing to the thanatocoenosis. Nevertheless, the extreme quick accumulation of the fossils provides an exceptional windows in the late Sarmatian s. str. ecosystems.
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complement to the study of the pikas lagomorpha Ochotonidae from the middle miocene of gratkorn austria
Palaeobiodiversity and Palaeoenvironments, 2014Co-Authors: Chiara Angelone, Jérôme Prieto, Martin GrossAbstract:An update about the Middle Miocene ochotonids (Lagomorpha, Mammalia) from Gratkorn, Austria, is presented. The presence of Prolagus oeningensis (Konig, 1825), previously attested based on the description of two well-preserved lower mandibles is confirmed, and complementary material is added. In addition, isolated teeth of a rooted ochtonid allow the recognition of the presence of cf. Eurolagus fontannesi (Deperet, 1887). A third ochotonid (Ochotonidae indet.), characterised by large-sized and ever-growing teeth, is another new element of the Gratkorn assemblage, although it cannot be taxonomically assigned, even at the genus level, because of the lack of diagnostic material. The fossil community is discussed in the central and eastern European context during Sarmatian times.