Plesiorycteropus

Plesiorycteropus
Temporal range: Holocene
Broken pelvis bone with a distinct spike next to the acetabulum, labeled 1, and much smaller complete pelvis without such a spike, labeled 2.
(1) Right innominate (pelvic bone) of Plesiorycteropus madagascariensis (British Museum number M 7085, holotype of Myoryctes rapeto Forsyth Major, 1908) and (2) right innominate of a European water vole (Arvicola amphibius), for comparison
Scientific classification Edit this classification
Domain: Eukaryota
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Class: Mammalia
Order: Afrosoricida
Suborder: Tenrecomorpha
Genus: †Plesiorycteropus
Filhol, 1895
Species
  • Plesiorycteropus germainepetterae MacPhee, 1994
  • Plesiorycteropus madagascariensis Filhol, 1895
Synonyms:[1]
P. sp. was found in five sites in southern Madagascar; P. madagascariensis was found in four sites (one uncertain) in western and central Madagascar; both species were found in a site in central Madagascar.
Sites where Plesiorycteropus has been found. Blue: P. madagascariensis and P. germainepetterae; green: P. madagascariensis; red: Plesiorycteropus, species uncertain.[2]
Synonyms[3]
  • Myoryctes Forsyth Major, 1908 non Ebert 1863[Note 1]
  • Majoria Thomas, 1915[Note 2]

Plesiorycteropus, also known as the bibymalagasy or Malagasy aardvark, is a recently extinct genus of mammals from Madagascar. Upon its description in 1895, it was classified with the aardvark, but more recent molecular evidence instead suggests that it is most closely related to the tenrecs (a group extant on the island). Two species are currently recognized, the larger P. madagascariensis and the smaller P. germainepetterae. They probably overlapped in distribution, as subfossil remains of both species have been found in the same site.

Knowledge of the skeletal anatomy is limited, as only limb, partial pelvis, and skull bones have been recovered to date. Plesiorycteropus was probably a digging animal that fed on insects such as termites and ants. It also shows adaptations for climbing and sitting. Estimates of its mass range from 6 to 18 kilograms (13 to 40 lb). When and why it became extinct remains unknown. One bone has been radiocarbon dated to 200 BCE; forest destruction by humans may have contributed to its extinction.

  1. ^ Cite error: The named reference McP32 was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  2. ^ Cite error: The named reference McPt1 was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  3. ^ a b c Cite error: The named reference McP30 was invoked but never defined (see the help page).


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