Dental Morphology and Palaeoecological Implications of Brachypotherium (Rhinocerotidae) of the Middle Miocene Siwaliks (Pakistan)

Abstract

New dental remains of rhinoceros species have been discovered from the Middle Miocene deposits of the Siwaliks of Pakistan. The specimens have been identified as Brachypotherium perimense and Brachypotherium fatehjangense based on their comparative morphometric analysis. The hypsodonty and thick enamel of the studied samples are the indicators of the presence of grazing community feeding on coarse grasses during Middle Miocene times in the Siwalik region. This newly discovered dental material adds up additional information about the Middle Miocene faunal composition of family Rhinocerotidae that can play role in tracing out the community structure during this epoch in the Asian region. The ecological implications of the Brachypotherium genus towards the changing Middle Miocene climatic condition on the basis of enamel hypoplasia is also discussed in this article.