0000000000147608
AUTHOR
Norbert Schmidt-kittler
On the phylogeny and zoogeography of the leptarctines (Carnivora, Mammalia)
A restudy of the skull and mandible ofLeptarctus neimenguensis Zhai from the Middle Miocene of China and the preparation of its auditory region led to the recognition of new features. The most important among them is the presence of a small suprameatal fossa partly hidden in the bony mastoid process corresponding to the structure described inPlesiogale andParagale (Schmidt-Kittler 1981) and representing the most primitive type of the mustelid middle ear.
An Outline of Morpho-Constructional Analysis
A concept of morpho-constructional analysis is outlined which describes functions of organic features in terms of transformation of energy input into effect output on the strength of physical principles. The dependence of effect outputs on constructional parameters, such as geometrical configurations and material properties, is illustrated in a vector model. It shows that performances of organisms, on principle, can be provided in equivalent manner by different constructional solutions. Options exist in regards to (1) how constructional parameters can be provided by an organism, (2) how particular effects or performances can be produced, and (3) how organizational units can be constrained b…
The deciduous dentition ofPercrocuta Kretzoi and the diphyletic origin of the hyaenas (Carnivora, Mammalia)
Aus der mittelmiozanen Fundstelle Jianshan bei Shilee (Xinan County, Honan Prov., China) wird ein juveniler Unterkiefer mit vollstandiger Milchbezahnung vonPercrocuta hobeiemis Chen Guanfang & Wu Wenyu beschrieben. Die Merkmale des D4, als aussagekraftigstes Element der ersten Zahngeneration, lassen gegenuber den ubrigen Hyanen tiefgreifende Unterschiede erkennen und zeigen grundsatzliche ubereinstimmungen mit dem entsprechenden Milchzahn bei Feliden. Der felidenartige D4-Typ vonPercrocuta ist wahrscheinlich durch Parallelentwicklung zustande gekommen, doch spricht er andererseits fur einen betrachtlichen phylogenetischen Abstand zwischen dieser Gattung einerseits und den rezenten Hyanen un…
A Biochronologic Subdivison of the European Paleogene Based on Mammals — Report on Results of the Paleogene Symposium Held in Mainz in February 1987
In February 1987 the paleontologists working on European mammalian faunas of the Paleogene convened in Mainz to establish a mammal chronology for this time period. The results were edited by the author of this report at the end of the same year (Schmidt-Kittler, 1987). The biochronological subdivision agreed upon in this symposium corresponds to the general conditions met in the European continental Tertiary. Therefore, it is consistent with the concept of subdivision used for the Neogene mammal chronology of Europe elaborated in an earlier meeting in Munich (Fahlbusch, 1976).