Proportions, characters and chronologies: Their contribution to systematic paleontology. A rebuttal to Furió and Pons-Monjo

Abstract

The comment by Furió and Pons-Monjo is an attempt to invalidate the new species Nesiotites rafelinensis recently described by Rofes et al. and to place it in synonymy with N. ponsi or a closely related form (N. aff. ponsi and/or N. cf. ponsi). Through detailed argumentation, the use of proportions instead of lengths, the re-analysis of the characters questioned by Furió and Pons-Monjo, and the consideration of the chronology and the evolution of ecological communities, we rebut Furió and Pons Monjo's conclusions and confirm the status of N. rafelinensis as a valid and distinct species represented by the specimen of Caló den Rafelino (Mallorca, Spain).