A new species of Teleoceras (Mammalia, Rhinocerotidae) from the late Hemphillian of Tennessee

Abstract

A new species of rhinoceros, Teleoceras aepysoma n. sp., is described from the late Hemphillian-aged Gray Fossil Site of eastern Tennessee. Fossils from a minimum of six individuals, including two nearly complete, articulated skeletons, have been found at the Gray Fossil Site. Availability of such complete specimens enables a thorough morphological description of the new species. Furthermore, the diagnostic characters of T. aepysoma necessitate an emended diagnosis for the tribe Teleoceratini and genus Teleoceras. Cranial features, such as lack of rugose bone for a horn on the dorsal surface of the unfused nasals and pronounced supraorbital tubercles positioned on the frontals dorsal to the orbits, support the establishment of a new species. Additionally, linear measurements and proportions show that T. aepysoma has relatively longer forelimb elements and, thus, a more elevated body than previously described species of Teleoceras.