Acta Palaeontologica Polonica

Hystrix primigenia (Wagner) in the Pliocene fauna from Węże

Andrzej Sulimski

Acta Palaeontologica Polonica 05 (3), 1960: 319-335

A description is here given of the bone remains of a Pliocene porcupine, identified as Hystrix primigenia (Wagner), found at Węże near Działoszyn and heretofore recorded from Pikermi (Greece) and Roussillon (France). An analysis of the lower molars shows certain similarities in the enamel structure with H. sivalensis Lydekker, described from the Pliocene of India (Siwalik Hills) and that of the living H. cristata L. Differences in structure of outer enamel loops, particularly those of the upper molars, the presence of accessory elements in the crowns of these molars (in the post erior parts of teeth) might possibly be suggestive of a new species. Nevertheless, in spite of in complete material, a number of features identical with those in H. primigenia postulate the assignment of the Dzialoszyn form to that  species.


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