Miocene and early Pleistocene rodents (Mammalia) from Denizli Basin (southwestern Turkey) and a new species of fossilMus

A new genus and species of Muridae (Rodentia) from the Quaternary deposits of the Denizli Basin, South-western Turkey

“…Two Muridae species, Mus denizliensis and Apodemus sylvaticus/flavicol- lis, have been described from Gökpınar (Erten et al, 2015). Unlike this new form, in Mus denizliensis, neither a garland connection between t4-t5-t6-t9-t8 nor longitudinal crests are observed on M1.…”

“…The unit which shows levels of different thickness and is composed of alternating conglomerate, sandstone, siltstone and mudstone facies including claystones in some places. Within the unit, plant remains, gastropods, reworked shells and fragments of mollusc at older units are quite common (Erten et al, 2015).…”

“…Furthermore, Kappelman et al (2008) has described the first Homo erectus from Turkey in the same travertine area. 2 Moreover, related to the micromammalian fauna from these sites, a new genus and species has been found as a result of this post-doctoral research in the Gökpınar locality (GOP), which was dated as MNQ18-19 (1.5-2.6 Ma) (Erten et al, 2015). In addition to this new murid, this locality previously yielded Dryomys tosyaensis, Dryomys sp, Mus denizliensis, and Apodemus sylvaticus/flavicollis (Erten et al, 2015).…”

“…2 Moreover, related to the micromammalian fauna from these sites, a new genus and species has been found as a result of this post-doctoral research in the Gökpınar locality (GOP), which was dated as MNQ18-19 (1.5-2.6 Ma) (Erten et al, 2015). In addition to this new murid, this locality previously yielded Dryomys tosyaensis, Dryomys sp, Mus denizliensis, and Apodemus sylvaticus/flavicollis (Erten et al, 2015). This locality is quite rich in fossils, nevertheless, during follow-up research eight molars (3 M1s, 2 M2, 1 m1 and 2 m2) representing the new murid species were identified and are herein formally described.…”

Spalax denizliensis sp. nov. (Spalacidae, Rodentia) from an Early Pleistocene-aged locality in the Denizli Basin (southwestern Turkey)

“…nov. has been found in the Early Pleistocene-aged Gökpınar locality of the Denizli Basin. Erten (2014) found this locality during his dissertation studies and Dryomys tosyaensis, Dryomys sp., Mus denizliensis, and Apodemus sylvaticus-flavicollis species were identified and dated as MNQ18-19 in this locality (Erten et al, , 2016 (Figure 1). Erten continued his studies in the Gökpınar locality for new findings after finishing his dissertation and identified Extrarius orhuni (Erten, 2017).…”