Early Miocene soricids (Insectivora, Mammalia) from Limagne (Central France): New systematic comparisons, updated biostratigraphic data and evolutionary implications

Abstract: In the Early Miocene lacustrine strata of Limagne (Allier, France), three soricids were described long ago: Oligosorex antiquus, Oligosorex ambiguus and Crocidosorex piveteaui. The lack of precise descriptions of, and comparisons among, these fossils – the type specimens of both species of Oligosorex having disappeared – on the one hand, and the lack of accuracy in their biostratigraphic positions on the other, led to long debates about possible synonymies among these species and genera. Many of these controversies are solved by new descriptions, comparisons and better illustrations of the specimens, and recent advances in biostratigraphical attributions. Work along these lines has led to the recognition of Crocidosorex and Oligosorex as independent genera. An additional taxon can be distinguished among the material previously found at Montaigu-le-Blin: this taxon closely matches Pomel''s “Sorex”ambiguus but is here ascribed to Meingensorex nov. gen. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]