taxonID	type	description	language	source
03B287E9FF94FF89FD3D649BBD5DFAEB.taxon	materials_examined	MATERIAL EXAMINED. — 1 I 1 (Ms 145); LI 1 = 2.20; HI 1 = 1.40.	en	Popov, Vasil V. (2004): Pliocene small mammals (Mammalia, Lipotyphla, Chiroptera, Lagomorpha, Rodentia) from Muselievo (North Bulgaria). Geodiversitas 26 (3): 403-491, DOI: 10.5281/zenodo.5377199
03B287E9FF94FF89FD3D649BBD5DFAEB.taxon	description	DESCRIPTION This upper incisive shows light pigmentation on the apex and on the anteriormost part of the talon. The buccal posterior edge is rounded, gradually passing into the convex dorsal margin. The apex and the talon are placed at a sharp angle. The talon is two-cusped. The cingulum is broad and well pronounced only in the lower two thirds of the crown height. The ventral margin of the talon is slightly concave.	en	Popov, Vasil V. (2004): Pliocene small mammals (Mammalia, Lipotyphla, Chiroptera, Lagomorpha, Rodentia) from Muselievo (North Bulgaria). Geodiversitas 26 (3): 403-491, DOI: 10.5281/zenodo.5377199
03B287E9FF94FF89FD3D649BBD5DFAEB.taxon	discussion	REMARKS The measurements fall within the range of variability of Deinsdorfia kordosi from Csarnóta- 2 (Hungary), i. e. it is larger than the remaining Pliocene species of the genus, known from the Hungarian localities (Reumer 1984). The other overall features also agree well with the original description. Up to now, the species has been known from Csarnóta- 2 (Reumer 1984), Rebielice Krolewskie 1 A (cf.) (Rzebik-Kowalska 1990 a), and Wölfersheim (Dahlmann 2001).	en	Popov, Vasil V. (2004): Pliocene small mammals (Mammalia, Lipotyphla, Chiroptera, Lagomorpha, Rodentia) from Muselievo (North Bulgaria). Geodiversitas 26 (3): 403-491, DOI: 10.5281/zenodo.5377199
03B287E9FF94FF8EFD2B60DBBAC0F90B.taxon	materials_examined	MATERIAL EXAMINED. — 1 I 1 (Ms 146), fragment of mandible with m 1 (Ms 376).	en	Popov, Vasil V. (2004): Pliocene small mammals (Mammalia, Lipotyphla, Chiroptera, Lagomorpha, Rodentia) from Muselievo (North Bulgaria). Geodiversitas 26 (3): 403-491, DOI: 10.5281/zenodo.5377199
03B287E9FF94FF8EFD2B60DBBAC0F90B.taxon	description	MEASUREMENTS. — I 1: LI 1 = 2.45; HI 1 = 1.67; m 1 (L × W) = 1.82 × 1.10; HMd / m 2 = 1.85; Lm 1 - m 3 = 4.25; HC = 2.25; LLF = 1.65; LUF = 1.05. DESCRIPTION I 1: the non-fissident apex is intensely pigmented in dark red. The posterior buccal edge of the crown is slightly convex. The cingulum is not well pronounced, especially in the uppermost part of the crown height. The apex and talon are separated by a shallow groove. Mandible: m 1: the upper part of the crown is intensely stained in dark red; the entoconid crest is lacking and the entoconid is nearly conical, slightly elongated antero-posteriorly; the buccal and lingual cingula are relatively broad and well pronounced; the buccal ventral margin of the crown is concave in its middle part. The mental foramen is situated under the second half of the crown of m 1. The condyle possesses a broad interarticular area. The upper facet is obliquely oriented in relation to the lower one.	en	Popov, Vasil V. (2004): Pliocene small mammals (Mammalia, Lipotyphla, Chiroptera, Lagomorpha, Rodentia) from Muselievo (North Bulgaria). Geodiversitas 26 (3): 403-491, DOI: 10.5281/zenodo.5377199
03B287E9FF94FF8EFD2B60DBBAC0F90B.taxon	discussion	REMARKS The measurements of the bones and teeth available, as well as their structural details, generally correspond to the original material from Csarnóta- 2 (Reumer 1984). However, some differences should be mentioned. According to Reumer (1984), the facets of the condyle in the Hungarian specimens are nearly parallel. The cingulum of the upper incisive from Muselievo is rather weak in comparison with the material from Csarnóta- 2. For the time being the scarce and poorly preserved material available does not permit to ascertain whether these differences have systematic value or not, and the determination remains tentative. The species is known from Hungary (Reumer 1984), Poland (Rzebik- Kowalska 1990 b), Turkey (Reumer 1998), and Bulgaria (Popov 2003).	en	Popov, Vasil V. (2004): Pliocene small mammals (Mammalia, Lipotyphla, Chiroptera, Lagomorpha, Rodentia) from Muselievo (North Bulgaria). Geodiversitas 26 (3): 403-491, DOI: 10.5281/zenodo.5377199
03B287E9FF92FF8FFF77611BBDDAFECB.taxon	materials_examined	MATERIAL EXAMINED. — 1 I 1 (Ms 148); LI 1 = 1.55; HI 1 = 1.30.	en	Popov, Vasil V. (2004): Pliocene small mammals (Mammalia, Lipotyphla, Chiroptera, Lagomorpha, Rodentia) from Muselievo (North Bulgaria). Geodiversitas 26 (3): 403-491, DOI: 10.5281/zenodo.5377199
03B287E9FF92FF8FFF77611BBDDAFECB.taxon	description	DESCRIPTION Although the available incisive is rather worn, it is clearly visible that it is fissident. The apex is slightly pigmented in pale red.	en	Popov, Vasil V. (2004): Pliocene small mammals (Mammalia, Lipotyphla, Chiroptera, Lagomorpha, Rodentia) from Muselievo (North Bulgaria). Geodiversitas 26 (3): 403-491, DOI: 10.5281/zenodo.5377199
03B287E9FF92FF8FFF77611BBDDAFECB.taxon	discussion	REMARKS Both the size and shape of the tooth leave no doubt that it belongs to Asoriculus gibberodon, a species common in many European Pliocene and early Pleistocene faunas (Popov 2003). Family TALPIDAE Fischer von Waldheim, 1817	en	Popov, Vasil V. (2004): Pliocene small mammals (Mammalia, Lipotyphla, Chiroptera, Lagomorpha, Rodentia) from Muselievo (North Bulgaria). Geodiversitas 26 (3): 403-491, DOI: 10.5281/zenodo.5377199
03B287E9FF92FF8FFF01641BB81FFC2B.taxon	materials_examined	MATERIAL EXAMINED. — 1 I 1 (Ms 147); LI 1 = 2.87.	en	Popov, Vasil V. (2004): Pliocene small mammals (Mammalia, Lipotyphla, Chiroptera, Lagomorpha, Rodentia) from Muselievo (North Bulgaria). Geodiversitas 26 (3): 403-491, DOI: 10.5281/zenodo.5377199
03B287E9FF92FF8FFF01641BB81FFC2B.taxon	description	DESCRIPTION The tooth is non-fissident. The apex is pigmented in dark red. The buccal cingulum is visible in the lower two third of the crown. It is rather broad in its upper part. Buccally, the posterior and dorsal margins form a slightly obtuse angle.	en	Popov, Vasil V. (2004): Pliocene small mammals (Mammalia, Lipotyphla, Chiroptera, Lagomorpha, Rodentia) from Muselievo (North Bulgaria). Geodiversitas 26 (3): 403-491, DOI: 10.5281/zenodo.5377199
03B287E9FF92FF8FFF01641BB81FFC2B.taxon	discussion	REMARKS The general shape and size of the incisive from Muselievo correspond to the material from Csarnóta- 2 (Reumer 1984) and Wölfersheim (cf.) (Dahlmann 2001).	en	Popov, Vasil V. (2004): Pliocene small mammals (Mammalia, Lipotyphla, Chiroptera, Lagomorpha, Rodentia) from Muselievo (North Bulgaria). Geodiversitas 26 (3): 403-491, DOI: 10.5281/zenodo.5377199
03B287E9FF92FF8FFCC164BBBDF4FA4B.taxon	materials_examined	MATERIAL EXAMINED. — 1 fragmentary humerus (Ms 377 - 1), 1 cubitus and 3 fragments of cubitus (Ms 377 - 2). Minimal width of humerus = 4.00; length of cubitus = 10.30.	en	Popov, Vasil V. (2004): Pliocene small mammals (Mammalia, Lipotyphla, Chiroptera, Lagomorpha, Rodentia) from Muselievo (North Bulgaria). Geodiversitas 26 (3): 403-491, DOI: 10.5281/zenodo.5377199
03B287E9FF92FF8FFCC164BBBDF4FA4B.taxon	discussion	REMARKS The two postcranial bones found in Muselievo reveal features of the genus Talpa. Their measurements are intermediate between the mediumsized Pleistocene forms, usually denoted as Talpa fossilis Petényi, 1864, and the smaller species Talpa minor. In this respect, they correspond to the Pliocene species Talpa csarnotana Kretzoi, 1959, described from Csarnóta (Hungary). This species is of the size of T. minor, but differs in a stronger development of the proximal area of the humerus and a shorter shaft. Storch (1978) provided an illustration of the humerus of this form. However, the available fragment of humerus does not permit detailed comparisons. Nevertheless, it seems “ unlikely that Csarnóta contains a different smaller Talpa species that other Hungarian localities of similar age ” and it seems likely “ that T. csarnotana is a junior synonym of T. minor ” (Van Cleef-Roders & Van den Hoek Ostende 2001). The differences in size can be related to local environmental peculiarities as it is the case in the present-day populations of T. europaea Linnaeus, 1758 and T. levantis Thomas, 1906 in Bulgaria (Popov & Miltchev 2001). Order CHIROPTERA Blumenbach, 1779	en	Popov, Vasil V. (2004): Pliocene small mammals (Mammalia, Lipotyphla, Chiroptera, Lagomorpha, Rodentia) from Muselievo (North Bulgaria). Geodiversitas 26 (3): 403-491, DOI: 10.5281/zenodo.5377199
03B287E9FF9EFF86FF6C633BBB93FB8B.taxon	materials_examined	MATERIAL EXAMINED. — 10 fragments of mandible (Ms 174 - 183), 33 left c 1 (Ms 184), 28 right c 1 (Ms 185), 9 p 4 (Ms 186), 13 m 1 (Ms 187), 12 m 2 (Ms 188), 11 m 3 (Ms 189), 35 left C 1 (Ms 190), 22 right C 1 (Ms 191, 197), 2 P 4 (Ms 192), 6 M 1 (Ms 193, 198), 10 M 2 (Ms 194, 199), 12 M 3 (Ms 195, 200), 25 fragments of humerus (Ms 196).	en	Popov, Vasil V. (2004): Pliocene small mammals (Mammalia, Lipotyphla, Chiroptera, Lagomorpha, Rodentia) from Muselievo (North Bulgaria). Geodiversitas 26 (3): 403-491, DOI: 10.5281/zenodo.5377199
03B287E9FF9EFF86FF6C633BBB93FB8B.taxon	description	MEASUREMENTS. — See Table 1. DESCRIPTION AND COMPARISONS C 1: the tooth is more massive than in the comparative material of modern Rhinolophus ferrumequinum (Schreber, 1774) from North Bulgaria. The crown outline in occlusal view is irregularly oval, elongated antero-posteriorly; the posterolabial margin is convex, while the postero-lingual one is slightly concave. The tooth is less compressed antero-posteriorly in comparison with the tooth of the modern species, so, from the labial view, the posterior undulation of the cingulum forms a right angle (sharp in the recent species). P 4: the tooth is elongated transversely; the talonid is well developed postero-lingually; the anterior margin is slightly concave. M 1 - M 2: these molars are relatively large. The posterior emargination is well pronounced, especially on M 1; this tooth also shows a well developed talon. In these respects, the teeth resemble those of the recent Rh. ferrumequinum. As compared with Rh. wenzensis (Woloszyn 1988) the width of molars from Muselievo is considerably greater. At the same time, they are slightly narrower than the molars of Rh. kowalskii Topál, 1979, Rh. estramontis Topál, 1979, and Rh. macrorhinus anomalidens Topál, 1979 (Topál 1979). Most probably, these disagreements reflect some differences in the measurement systems used by the various authors. M 3: this tooth is relatively large and more massive than in the recent species and in Rh. macrorhinus anomalidens. In this respect, it is similar to Rh. kowalskii and Rh. estramontis. c 1: it is somewhat compressed oro-caudally (more than in the recent species) in occlusal outline. In size it is comparable with Rh. macrorhinus anomalidens and Rh. wenzensis (Table 1) and is more massive than in the recent species. p 3: this tooth is lacking, but judging by the size and position of the alveolus it can be said that it is larger and not so displaced labially as in Rh. estramontis from Osztramos- 1 f and especially in comparison with the recent species. Most probably, the crowns of p 2 and p 4 were not contiguous as in the case of modern Rh. ferrumequinum. At the same time, p 3 seems more reduced than in some specimens of Rh. kowalskii from Podlesice and Rh. cf. kowalskii ssp. from Csarnóta- 2 (Topál 1979). In this respect, it is similar to Rh. wenzensis (Woloszyn 1988). p 4: p 4 is robust. In occlusal view, the outline of the crown is a shortened irregular trapezium with the shorter and slightly convex base oriented labially. This tooth exceeds in dimensions those of Rh. kowalskii, Rh. macrorhinus anomalidens and the recent species Rh. ferrumequinum. In this respect it is similar with Rh. wenzensis although this species shows a slightly, on average, more elongated p 4 (Table 1). m 1 and m 2: m 1 and m 2 are nyctalodontic and massive. They are larger than the respective molars in Rh. kowalskii, Rh. estramontis, Rh. macrorhinus anomalidens and the modern comparative material of Rh. ferrumequinum. m 3: nyctalodontic. The talonid is relatively large, wider than in the modern Rh. ferrumequinum (taWm 3 recent = 0.92 - 1.02 - 1.35, N = 20), Rh. kowalskii and Rh. macrorhinus anomalidens, being nearly identical with Rh. wenzensis (Table 1).	en	Popov, Vasil V. (2004): Pliocene small mammals (Mammalia, Lipotyphla, Chiroptera, Lagomorpha, Rodentia) from Muselievo (North Bulgaria). Geodiversitas 26 (3): 403-491, DOI: 10.5281/zenodo.5377199
03B287E9FF9EFF86FF6C633BBB93FB8B.taxon	discussion	REMARKS The teeth available have a structure and arrangement characteristic for the large sized species of horseshoe bats, belonging to “ ferrumequinum ” group. They are however larger than in the modern species from Bulgaria (Figs 4 A-C; 5 B, C; 6 A-C) and similar in this respect to the fossil species Rh. kowalskii, Rh. estramontis, Rh. macrorhinus anomalidens (Topál 1979), although in some measurements the material from Muselievo shows even larger values. According to the teeth dimensions, and especially those of p 4 and m 3, the examined material is practically identical with Rh. wenzensis (Woloszyn 1988). In general, the size, teeth structure and arrangement of the form from Muselievo correspond to the original diagnosis of Rh. wenzensis (Woloszyn 1988): “ A large representative of Rhinolophus, close in dimensions to Rh. kowalskii Topál, 1979 differing from this species in its massive teeth, a robust p 4, whose crown is almost square in outline, a massive talonid on m 3 and more strongly reduced p 2 ”. The remains from Muselievo show that with regard to the structure of the anterior part of dentition we deal with an early-specialized form. In this respect, the examined material substantiates the Woloszyn’s (1988) suggestion that “ Rh. wenzensis is more progressive than other Miocene and Pliocene species of that group ”. On the other hand, this species retains some less specialized features such as the relatively large talonid on m 3, not so reduced p 3, moderately displaced outward from the tooth row so that the crowns of p 2 and p 4 are probably not contiguous. For the time being, the described remains are the second record of the species. Its presence in Muselievo constitutes an important fact, indicating that it is not an endemic form as supposed by Woloszyn (1988).	en	Popov, Vasil V. (2004): Pliocene small mammals (Mammalia, Lipotyphla, Chiroptera, Lagomorpha, Rodentia) from Muselievo (North Bulgaria). Geodiversitas 26 (3): 403-491, DOI: 10.5281/zenodo.5377199
03B287E9FF9BFF9AFD37617BB992F908.taxon	materials_examined	MATERIAL EXAMINED. — 67 fragments of mandible (Ms 149: 1 - 67), 1 fragment of maxillae with P 4 - M 3 (Ms 150), 118 right C 1 (Ms 150), 113 left C 1 (Ms 152), 4 P 4 (Ms 153), 33 M 1 (Ms 154), 46 M 2 (Ms 155), 19 M 3 (Ms 156), 44 left c 1 (Ms 157), 72 right c 1 (Ms 158), 6 p 4 (Ms 159), 59 m 1 (Ms 160), 46 m 2 (Ms 161), 28 m 3 (Ms 162), 2 fragments of maxillae with P 4 - M 1 and M 1 - M 3 (Ms 163), 3 fragments of maxillae with P 4 - M 1, M 3 and M 2 - M 3 (Ms 164), 18 fragments of humerus (Ms 165).	en	Popov, Vasil V. (2004): Pliocene small mammals (Mammalia, Lipotyphla, Chiroptera, Lagomorpha, Rodentia) from Muselievo (North Bulgaria). Geodiversitas 26 (3): 403-491, DOI: 10.5281/zenodo.5377199
03B287E9FF9BFF9AFD37617BB992F908.taxon	description	MEASUREMENTS. — See Table 2. DESCRIPTION AND COMPARISONS The material from Muselievo is described in comparison with the three medium-sized extant species of horseshoe bats (Rh. mehelyi Matschie, 1901; Rh. euryale Blasius, 1853; and Rh. blasii Peters, 1866) from Bulgaria (Popov & Ivanova 2002). Since the form from Muselievo overlaps in many measurements with some modern populations of Rhinolophus ferrumequinum (cf. Sevilla 1988), comparisons with this species have also been included. C 1: the crown is more or less oval, when seen from above; the postero-lingual margin presents a slight concavity, similar in this respect to the three modern medium-sized species, and differing from the recent comparative material of Rh. ferrumequinum, which possesses a convexity in this part of the tooth margin, and showing a depression on the postero-buccal margin of the tooth, resulting of the pressure of P 2. In the fossil material, from labial view, the cingulum runs slightly downwards up to the posterior part of the crown, where it starts to run upwards, forming in this way an obtuse angle. In this feature the available upper canines are similar to the recent medium sized species and differ from the recent Rh. ferrumequinum in which the anterior and posterior parts of this cingulum form a right or sharp angle, due to the antero-posterior compression of this tooth. P 2 is not present in the material examined, but the size and position of the alveolus (specimen Ms 150), indicate that this tooth must have been of moderate size and slightly displaced labially. In this respect, the fossil material is similar with Rh. blasii, which possess a relatively large P 2, laying in the tooth row. As a result, there is a well pronounced depression on the middle part of the anterior margin of P 4, pointing to the presence of a pressure from P 2. In the other modern species, the P 2 is quite reduced, positioned labially to the tooth row, and there is no impression of this tooth on the anterior margin of P 4. P 4: the tooth is moderately elongated transversely with respect to the tooth row. This tooth is slightly more elongated in the recent Rh. mehelyi and Rh. euryale and much more in Rh. blasii. M 1 - M 2: the posterior emargination of these teeth is shallow like in the three modern medium-sized species, whereas in Rh. ferrumequinum the rear margin of the crown has a well pronounced emargination. The recent Rh. blasii differs considerably from the remaining two medium-sized species in having a strongly developed talon on these molars and especially on M 1. So, these molars are strongly elongated transversely. In this respect, the fossil material is similar to Rh. mehelyi and Rh. euryale. M 3: the tooth is massive and more elongated transversely than in the recent Rh. mehelyi. In this respect, it is similar with the other two modern medium-sized species. On the other hand, the fossil material differs from the three comparative species in having a proportionately larger M 3. c 1: in the crown outline the tooth is an irregular trapezium with convex labial and concave posterior margins. The anterolingual corner is poorly pronounced and rounded as in the modern Rh. mehelyi, whereas in the comparative specimens of Rh. euryale it is sharp. In contrast, this corner is not developed in Rh. blasii, and the outline of its crown in occlusal view is triangular. p 3: this tooth is not preserved, but judging by the size and position of the alveolus, it may be assumed that p 3 must have been similar with the recent species Rh. euryale and in a lesser degree with Rh. blasii. These species present moderately reduced p 3 situated in the tooth row (some specimens of Rh. blasii) or slightly shifted laterally (some specimens of Rh. blasii and Rh. euryale). At the same time it differs from Rh. mehelyi which has more reduced p 3 and displaced further labially. p 4 in the outline of crown is a triangle with rounded corners, with a well developed anterolingual cingular shelf, and straight or slightly concave lingual margin. In these respects, the available teeth are similar to those of the modern comparative specimens of Rh. mehelyi. In the other two medium-sized species, the outline of the crown is a shortened (Rh. euryale) or more or less elongated (Rh. blasii) trapezium. In Rh. ferrumequinum the p 4 is almost square with a poorly developed cingular shelf and convex lingual margin. m 1 - m 2: the structure of these nyctalodontic molars is similar to those of the recent Rh. mehelyi from Bulgaria though differing in some proportions and dimensions. The m 1 deserves special attention in this respect. The length of this tooth is considerably greater than in the recent comparative material, while there is a broad overlap in the talonid breadth (Table 2). Storch (1974) reported similar relations between the recent and fossil (early Pleistocene) populations of Rh. mehelyi, though the talonid width of m 1 in the Mediterranean modern form is even greater, nearly equal to the average value of the population from Muselievo. m 3: nyctalodontic. As compared with the modern medium-sized species, the form from Muselievo differs in having broadest talonids and larger size of this molar. Palate: the posterior emargination of the palate is shallow (specimen Ms 150) and anteriorly reaches the middle part of the M 3. In this respect, the fossil specimen is quite different from the three recent medium-sized species in which this emargination is quite deep, reaching anteriorly the posterior or middle part of the crown of M 2.	en	Popov, Vasil V. (2004): Pliocene small mammals (Mammalia, Lipotyphla, Chiroptera, Lagomorpha, Rodentia) from Muselievo (North Bulgaria). Geodiversitas 26 (3): 403-491, DOI: 10.5281/zenodo.5377199
03B287E9FF9BFF9AFD37617BB992F908.taxon	discussion	REMARKS T h e a b o v e d e s c r i p t i o n s a n d c o m p a r i s o n s suggest that the material examined presents a horseshoe bat of medium size close to the contemporary species Rh. mehelyi. It differs c o n s i d e r a b l y, h o w e v e r, f r o m t h e m o d e r n comparative material in its generally greater size, more elongated m 1, etc. In this respect the specimens from Muselievo fit well to the description of the limited early Pleistocene material from Malta, designated as a separate subspecies, Rhinolophus mehelyi birzebbugensis (Storch 1974). The rich material from Muselievo and the above comparisons reveal some additional peculiarities of this form: relatively large p 4, P 4, m 3 and M 3, less reduced talonid on m 3, and probably relatively large P 2 and p 3 not very shifted from the tooth row, a shallow posterior emargination of the palate. Having in mind the morphologic evolutionary trends in large horseshoe bats and the general direction of specialization in recent rhi- nolophids (see above), the characters that differentiate the Muselievo material from the modern Rh. mehelyi are of less specialized nature. In this respect, it is somewhat similar to the smaller recent species Rh. euryale and especially to Rh. blasii. However, considering that, according to the recent situation, the large forms should be more specialized in the above respects, the form from Muselievo would fit better in the evolutionary line of Rh. mehelyi and might even be regarded as an ancestor of the recent species. That is why, following Storch (1974), I considered the fossil form as a chrono-subspecies of Rh. mehelyi.	en	Popov, Vasil V. (2004): Pliocene small mammals (Mammalia, Lipotyphla, Chiroptera, Lagomorpha, Rodentia) from Muselievo (North Bulgaria). Geodiversitas 26 (3): 403-491, DOI: 10.5281/zenodo.5377199
03B287E9FF87FF99FD1F669BBB93FBA8.taxon	materials_examined	MATERIAL EXAMINED. — 2 fragments of mandible with p 3 - m 1 and m 1 - m 2 (Ms 166, 167), 4 c 1 (Ms 168, 169), 1 M 1 (Ms 170), 2 M 2 (Ms 171), 4 M 3 (Ms 172), 20 C 1 (Ms 173).	en	Popov, Vasil V. (2004): Pliocene small mammals (Mammalia, Lipotyphla, Chiroptera, Lagomorpha, Rodentia) from Muselievo (North Bulgaria). Geodiversitas 26 (3): 403-491, DOI: 10.5281/zenodo.5377199
03B287E9FF87FF99FD1F669BBB93FBA8.taxon	description	MEASUREMENTS. — See Table 3. DESCRIPTION AND COMPARISONS C 1: the crown outline in occlusal view is elongated and oval, tapering anteriorly. The modern Rh. mehelyi differs from the fossil form in having an extensively developed linguo-distal part of this tooth. In recent Rh. euryale the occlusal outline is more oval, not tapering anteriorly, possessing a postero-lingual depression, lacking in the fossil material. M 1 - M 2: the posterior emargination and talons are poorly developed, so the molars are, to some extent, similar to those in Rh. euryale (poor emargination, but more developed talon) and Rh. mehelyi (weak talon but more pronounced emargination). The molars of the modern Rh. blasii are quite different in having a well developed talon and respectively much wider crowns (see above). M 3: the crown outline is triangular, similar to Rh. euryale but with more developed posterior (metacone-metastyle) loop. c 1: in occlusal outline, it is an oval or shortened trapezium with rounded corners. The tooth possesses a well developed talon in its posterior part. It is similar to the recent Rh. euryale but differs in having larger size and a rounded anterolingual part. p 3 is relatively large, almost round and lies in the tooth row, situated in such a way that the alveolus of p 2 is shifted anteriorly and the crowns of p 2 and p 4 were probably not contiguous. In this respect, it is similar to some specimens of recent Rh. blasii and Rh. euryale from Bulgaria. However, in general, the three modern species seem more specialized than the fossil form in having more tightly spaced p 2 and p 4. p 4 in crown outline resembles an elongated trapezium with its base facing lingually. Its cingulum is well developed, forming a large shelf anteriorly. The tooth is more elongated than in the recent Rh. euryale but close to Rh. blasii. The shape of p 4 in the modern Rh. mehelyi is nearly triangular and thus it is quite different from the fossil material and the other two medium-sized modern species. m 1 - m 2 are nyctalodontic and elongated, close in their form to the present-day Rh. euryale. The molars are less massive and narrower in comparison with those in recent Rh. mehelyi. m 3: this nyctalodontic tooth possesses a massive talonid similar to the less specialized modern Rh. blasii. In contrast, the talonids of the other two medium-sized species are more delicate.	en	Popov, Vasil V. (2004): Pliocene small mammals (Mammalia, Lipotyphla, Chiroptera, Lagomorpha, Rodentia) from Muselievo (North Bulgaria). Geodiversitas 26 (3): 403-491, DOI: 10.5281/zenodo.5377199
03B287E9FF87FF99FD1F669BBB93FBA8.taxon	discussion	REMARKS The above descriptions and comparisons show that the fossil material is nearer to Rhinolophus euryale than to the other two medium-sized species. At the same time it differs from the contemporary species in some important features: a relatively large p 3, situated near to the longitudinal axis of the tooth row; more elongated p 4; better developed talonid on m 3; more massive lower canine with weaker (rounded) anterolingual corner; the occlusal outline of the crown of the upper canine is tapered in its posterior part and does not show any postero-lingual emargination. In some of these characters, the level of specialization is about that of the less specialized (in some respects) recent species of this group, Rh. blasii. Most probably, these similarities correspond to the low evolutionary level of the fossil form and do not indicate that they belong to the same evolutionary lineage. The differences with the modern Rh. mehelyi are greater because it is more specialized, according to the criteria mentioned above. As compared with the fossil forms, the measurements of the material from Muselievo are close to Rh. neglectus Heller, 1936 and Rh. euryale praeglacialis Kormos, 1934. Unfortunately, the original descriptions of these species are incomplete and do not permit detailed comparisons. In general, these two forms are slightly larger than the recent Rh. euryale. More detailed information is available for Rh. neglectus from Mala C a v e a n d R e b i e l i c e K r o l e w s k i e 2, P o l a n d (Woloszyn 1988). The determination of this material is based on a direct comparison with the holotype. The comparison with the data presented by Woloszyn (1988) reveals some differences such as shorter teeth (p 4, m 1, m 2, M 2) and less massive upper canines in the Muselievo material. At the same time, the only available mandible from Muselievo is similar with Rh. neglectus in the premolar arrangement. Most probably, this similarity is a shared plesiomorphic feature of the Pliocene forms and is not necessarily an indication for their close relationship. According to Woloszyn (1988), M. neglectus should be considered as a form closely related with Rh. mehelyi. On the other hand, the above considerations show that the fossil sample under study is more similar to Rh. euryale. The only assumption one can draw so far is that the material from Muselievo belongs to a primitive form within the phyletic lineage leading to the contemporary Rhinolophus euryale.	en	Popov, Vasil V. (2004): Pliocene small mammals (Mammalia, Lipotyphla, Chiroptera, Lagomorpha, Rodentia) from Muselievo (North Bulgaria). Geodiversitas 26 (3): 403-491, DOI: 10.5281/zenodo.5377199
03B287E9FF80FF91FF0D61E5BADAFDCB.taxon	materials_examined	HOLOTYPE. — 1 fragment of mandible with p 4 (Ms 352, Fig. 14 F-H). FIGURED PARATYPES. — 1 fragment of mandible with m 2 - m 3 (Ms 350); 1 left C 1 (Ms 361 - 1); 1 left P 4 (Ms 361 - 2); 1 right M 1 (Ms 361 - 3); 1 left M 2 (Ms 361 - 4); 1 right M 3 (Ms 361 - 5); 1 left c 1 (Ms 361 - 7); 1 left m 1 (Ms 361 - 8).	en	Popov, Vasil V. (2004): Pliocene small mammals (Mammalia, Lipotyphla, Chiroptera, Lagomorpha, Rodentia) from Muselievo (North Bulgaria). Geodiversitas 26 (3): 403-491, DOI: 10.5281/zenodo.5377199
03B287E9FF80FF91FF0D61E5BADAFDCB.taxon	etymology	ETYMOLOGY. — Longicaninus because of its elongated canines.	en	Popov, Vasil V. (2004): Pliocene small mammals (Mammalia, Lipotyphla, Chiroptera, Lagomorpha, Rodentia) from Muselievo (North Bulgaria). Geodiversitas 26 (3): 403-491, DOI: 10.5281/zenodo.5377199
03B287E9FF80FF91FF0D61E5BADAFDCB.taxon	materials_examined	TYPE LOCALITY. — Muselievo, Bulgaria. OTHER MATERIAL EXAMINED. — 10 small fragments of mandible with one tooth (p 4, m 1, m 2, m 3) each (Ms 349 - 358, 362), 11 fragments of mandible without teeth (Ms 359 - 360), 35 left C 1 (Ms 363), 38 right C 1 (Ms 368), 3 P 4 (Ms 365), 7 left and 4 right M 1 (Ms 366), 4 left and 2 right M 2 (Ms 367), 1 right M 3 (Ms 368), 30 right c 1 (Ms 369), 38 left c 1 (Ms 370), 3 left and 5 right p 4 (Ms 371), 5 right m 1 (Ms 372), 5 right and 4 left m 2 (Ms 373), 1 left and 1 right m 3 (Ms 374), 1 distal fragment of humerus (Ms 375).	en	Popov, Vasil V. (2004): Pliocene small mammals (Mammalia, Lipotyphla, Chiroptera, Lagomorpha, Rodentia) from Muselievo (North Bulgaria). Geodiversitas 26 (3): 403-491, DOI: 10.5281/zenodo.5377199
03B287E9FF80FF91FF0D61E5BADAFDCB.taxon	description	MEASUREMENTS. — For summary data on isolated teeth see Table 4. Holotype: LSy = 3.50; HMd / m 1 = 2.50; Lp 4 = 1.42, Wp 4 = 1.00. Mandibular fragments: LSy = 2.87; 3.37; 3.40. HMd / m 1 = 2.62; 2.37; 2.42; 2.37; 2.50; 2.12; 2.57. Lp 2 - p 4 = (2.87); (2.62); (2.50); (2.30); (2.25); (2.55). HPC = 5.55. M 1 (L × W) = 2.10 × 1.45; 2.05 × 1.45; 2.07 × 1.70; 1.97 × 1.42. M 2 (L × W) = 2.00 × 1.45; 2.20 × 1.60; 2.20 × 1.42. M 3 (L × trW × taW) = 1.80 × 1.42 × 1.02; 1.77 × 1.25 × 0.92; 1.87 × 1.30 × 1.02; 1.85 × 1.25 × 1.02; 1.95 × 1.50 × 1.05.	en	Popov, Vasil V. (2004): Pliocene small mammals (Mammalia, Lipotyphla, Chiroptera, Lagomorpha, Rodentia) from Muselievo (North Bulgaria). Geodiversitas 26 (3): 403-491, DOI: 10.5281/zenodo.5377199
03B287E9FF80FF91FF0D61E5BADAFDCB.taxon	diagnosis	DIAGNOSIS. — A large Myotis species with elongated canines and p 4 s. DIFFERENTIAL DIAGNOSIS. — Myotis blythii longicaninus n. ssp. has smaller molars than the recent M. myotis, being similar in this respect with M. blythii, but differs from the recent form in having considerably longer canines, a larger p 4, more anterior position of the mental foramen, more oblique position of the symphysis, ellipsoidal basal cross-section of the upper canine (not pear-like as in the recent species), better developed mesial cingula on M 1 and M 2, less anteroposteriorly reduced M 3, slender and elongated m 1 - m 2, less reduced talon on m 3, without interruption of the middle part of the labial cingulum on m 3. The form from Muselievo differs from Myotis ghardalamensis Storch, 1974 in having more elongated p 4 and m 1 - m 2, and less reduced M 3.	en	Popov, Vasil V. (2004): Pliocene small mammals (Mammalia, Lipotyphla, Chiroptera, Lagomorpha, Rodentia) from Muselievo (North Bulgaria). Geodiversitas 26 (3): 403-491, DOI: 10.5281/zenodo.5377199
03B287E9FF80FF91FF0D61E5BADAFDCB.taxon	description	DESCRIPTION AND COMPARISONS The holotype (Ms 352) is a mandibular fragment with p 4, which lingual margin is slightly eroded; the alveoli of the canine, p 2, p 3, and i 3 and the symphysis are also preserved. The crown outline of p 4 is rectangular (elongated antero-postereriorly) with rounded corners (occlusal view). In the recent species this tooth is shortened antero-posteriorly with a trapezoidal outline, somewhat widened out posteriorly. The anterior margin of the cingulum of the p 4 overlaps the posterior rim of the alveolus of p 3, in contrast to the recent species, in which the anterior end of p 4 does not reach the alveolus of p 3. The foramen mentale is situated under the portion between c 1 and p 2 (in front of the root of p 2), while in the recent species it is shifted posteriorly, located on the level of the root of p 2 or behind it, i. e. between p 2 and p 3. c 1: in general the tooth is similar to this one of the modern M. blythii, but in some specimens the posterior shelf is better developed and its distal part is curved upwardly. There is no cingular cusplet at the mesiolingual margin of the tooth. p 4: the available teeth are large, rectangular in crown outline. The labial cingulum shows two concavities, each towards a root. In labial view, the overall orientation of the ventral margin of the crown is horizontal or slightly oblique, while in the recent species it is clearly oblique, with a definitely more ventral position of the posterolabial corner of the crown than the antero-labial one. m 1 and m 2: they are slender and more elongated than in the recent species. Their talonids are longer than the trigonids. In the modern species the lengths of the trigonids are nearly equal with the lengths of the talonids, or the trigonids are longer. In the fossil m 1 s the upper margin of the cingulum strongly ascends at the base of the protoconid. The entocristids are well developed and somewhat higher than in the recent species. m 3: the talonid shows no distinct reduction, in contrast to the recent species. The labial cingulum is equally thick along the crown, while in the recent species it is weaken or interrupted between the protoconid and hypoconid. C 1: the basal cross-section of the crown is ellipsoidal. There are two shallow grooves: one on the labial face, one on the lingual face. In the recent species these grooves are better pronounced and very often there is a trace of an antero-labial groove, which never occurs in the fossil form. The lower margin of the crown is sharp and well differentiated from the root, while in the recent species the transition between these parts of the tooth is gradual. P 4: in one unworn tooth there is an indistinct accessory tubercle on the mesio-lingual margin of the cingulum. This cingular cusplet is always missing in the recent comparative material of M. blythii. The lingual portion of the crown (talon) is better developed than in the modern species. M 1 - M 2: the occlusal surface of the two first upper molars is simplified: without heel, paraloph, metaloph, and metaconule, similar in these respects to the recent species. The differences concern the wider mesial cingula in the fossil teeth, which usually incorporate the parastyles. This feature reflects the loose arrangement of P 4 - M 1 - M 2 in the fossil form. M 3: the outline of the crown is transversely triangular, with a rather massive metacone protruding posteriorly. In the recent species this cusp is indistinct, transversely elongated as an extension of the premetacrista.	en	Popov, Vasil V. (2004): Pliocene small mammals (Mammalia, Lipotyphla, Chiroptera, Lagomorpha, Rodentia) from Muselievo (North Bulgaria). Geodiversitas 26 (3): 403-491, DOI: 10.5281/zenodo.5377199
03B287E9FF80FF91FF0D61E5BADAFDCB.taxon	discussion	REMARKS The L × W plots of the fossil molars (Figs 11; 12) show that they are of approximately the same size as the teeth of the recent M. blythii. In the same time the ranges of variability of the fossil p 4 s and especially of the lengths of the canines are larger, covering the variability of both recent species, M. myotis and M. blythii (Fig. 13). These data indicate that we deal with one species, similar in size to M. blythii but with longer canines and larger p 4 s. The size of molars from Muselievo is nearly identical with the middle Pliocene material from Osztramos 9 and 13, determined as Myotis cf. blythii (Topál 1983). The Hungarian form has a relatively wide talonid on m 3 (trWm 3 = 1.22, taWm 3 = 0.92; taW / trW = 83.63 %), which, according to Topál (1983), “ seems to be a primary and more ancient feature ”. The form from Muselievo also shows a relatively wide talonid. The values of the taW / trW ratio in the two specimens from Muselievo are 73.3 and 74.8 %, while in 20 recent specimens of M. blythii this ratio ranges between 63.08 and 73.08 % with a mean value of 68.78 %. This ratio is even lower in the recent closely related species M. myotis (62.12 - 71.85 %). Based on this feature and on the reduced premolar rows, M. myotis, according to Topál (1963 c), is more evolved than M. blythii. In this context, the differences between the fossil and the recent samples of M. blythii, presented above, indicate that the remains from Muselievo represent an unspecialized and primitive form.	en	Popov, Vasil V. (2004): Pliocene small mammals (Mammalia, Lipotyphla, Chiroptera, Lagomorpha, Rodentia) from Muselievo (North Bulgaria). Geodiversitas 26 (3): 403-491, DOI: 10.5281/zenodo.5377199
03B287E9FF8CFF94FD3D67A5BAC4FE6B.taxon	materials_examined	MATERIAL EXAMINED. — 15 mandibular fragments (1 with p 4 and m 1, 2 with p 4, m 1 and m 2, 1 with m 1 - m 2, 5 with m 2 - m 3, 2 with m 1, 1 with m 2, 3 with m 3) (Ms 320 - 334), 15 c 1 (Ms 335 - 336), 1 p 4 (Ms 337), 4 m 1 (Ms 338), 7 m 2 (Ms 339), 2 m 3 (Ms 340), 39 C 1 (Ms 378), 1 P 4 (Ms 342), 7 M 1 - 2 (Ms 343 - 344), 1 M 3 (Ms 345).	en	Popov, Vasil V. (2004): Pliocene small mammals (Mammalia, Lipotyphla, Chiroptera, Lagomorpha, Rodentia) from Muselievo (North Bulgaria). Geodiversitas 26 (3): 403-491, DOI: 10.5281/zenodo.5377199
03B287E9FF8CFF94FD3D67A5BAC4FE6B.taxon	description	MEASUREMENTS. — See Table 5. DESCRIPTION AND COMPARISON Mandible: the horizontal ramus is rather massive. The mental foramen lies between the roots of the canine and p 2 as in the recent M. emarginatus (Geoffroy, 1806) and M. nattereri (Kuhl, 1818), while in the modern comparative material of M. bechsteinii (Kuhl, 1818) it is situated under the p 2. The anterior margin of the horizontal branch of mandible is more oblique in lateral view than in the modern M. emarginatus. In this respect it is similar to M. bechsteinii. c 1: the posterior shelf of the cingulum is not well developed; its distal part is not curved upwards as in the modern M. emarginatus, M. nattereri, and especially in M. bechsteinii. p 3: judging by the size and position of the alveolus, this premolar should be relatively large, situated close to p 4, in such a way that their crowns were probably contiguous, differing in this respect from the modern M. emarginatus in which the premolars are loosely spaced. p 4: this tooth is rectangular in occlusal view with a medial constriction and, in crown outline, it resembles the respective teeth of the recent M. emarginatus and M. bechsteinii. However, the posterior edge has no impression for m 1 as in the recent M. bechsteinii. In the modern species, this feature resulted from a strong mesio-distal compression of the tooth row anterior portion. Another consequence of this compression is the strong overlapping between the crowns of p 3 and p 4 in modern M. bechsteinii. The arrangement of p 3, p 4 and m 1 in the fossil material corresponds more or less to that of the recent M. emarginatus. In particular, in both forms the p 4 and m 1 barely contact at the margins of the cingula. On the other hand, the available p 4 s differ from the respective teeth of M. emarginatus in having a less developed antero-labial cingular shelf, and a labial cingulum not considerably bent upwards, being only gently curved as in the recent M. nattereri. m 1 and m 2: these myotodont molars are rather condensed antero-posteriorly as compared with the modern M. bechsteinii but not so much as in the available comparative material of M. nattereri. In this respect, they are similar to the molars of the recent M. emarginatus, but the fossil teeth are larger. The anterior half of the labial cingulum is thicker than in the recent M. emarginatus. In this respect, it is somewhat similar to the present-day M. nattereri. m 3: myotodont. The talonid is rather broad and massive. In this feature, the fossil species is quite different from the modern species M. bechsteinii and M. emarginatus in which the talonid is conspicuously smaller. The fossil material is somewhat similar to the comparative sample of M. nattereri, but in this species the talonid is shorter and more gracile. In all recent species, the lateral margin of the crown (between the trigonid and talonid) is deeply concave in occlusal view, while in the fossil teeth this concavity is less pronounced. C 1: this tooth is rather elongated. The anterolingual ridge of the crown is indistinct and rounded and the respective groove is shallow. In this respect, it is similar to the modern M. emarginatus. In contrast, M. bechsteinii possesses a rather sharp ridge along the antero-lingual side of the crown. P 4: the anterior cingulum is poorly developed in contrast to the modern M. bechsteinii and M. emarginatus. M 1 - M 2: with protoconule, paraloph, metaloph, and metaconule (well pronounced on M 2) as in the recent M. emarginatus. These elements are also present in the comparative material of the modern M. bechsteinii but variably pronounced and generally poor. Although similar in size to the molars of the recent Nyctalus leisleri (Kuhl, 1817), the fossil specimens differ in having interruption of the lingual cingulum at the base of the protocone; this cingulum is complete in the recent comparative sample of N. leisleri. In this respect the fossil teeth are comparable with the recent M. bechsteinii and other Myotis species. M 3: although more massive, it is similar to the respective tooth of M. emarginatus.	en	Popov, Vasil V. (2004): Pliocene small mammals (Mammalia, Lipotyphla, Chiroptera, Lagomorpha, Rodentia) from Muselievo (North Bulgaria). Geodiversitas 26 (3): 403-491, DOI: 10.5281/zenodo.5377199
03B287E9FF8CFF94FD3D67A5BAC4FE6B.taxon	discussion	REMARKS The comparisons of the sample from Muselievo with the Pliocene species M. gundersheimensis Heller, 1936 from Poland (Podlesice) and Hungary (Osztramos 9) (Godawa 1993) show that, although similar in size, this species has shorter molars. M. gundersheimensis seems more specialized than the recent M. bechsteinii in having shorter c 1 - p 4 row, being similar in this respect to the middle Pleistocene Myotis kretzoii Topál, 1981. The last species, however, differs from both M. gundersheimensis and M. bechsteinii in having three cusps on the lower incisors (Topál 1981). Unfortunately, M. gundersheimensis Heller, 1936, originally described from Gundersheim (Germany, MN 15 b, Koenigswald & Tobien 1990), is, up to now, very superficially known on evidence of a mandibular material, and it is impossible to compare the upper molars which are of a particular phylogenetic and taxonomic importance. Nevertheless, according to the multivariate analysis on the mandibles of fossil and recent Myotis species, presented by Topál (1985), M. bechsteinii and M. gundersheimensis seem very similar. The fossil molars from Muselievo are nearly identical in dimensions with the comparative sample of the recent M. bechsteinii from Bulgaria (Figs 11; 12). In this respect it is also similar with the Pleistocene remains of this species from La Fage (France) (Mein 1975). The fossil form from Muselievo, however, has a more massive mandible, more complicated occlusal surface of the upper molars, relatively wider talonid on m 3, more loosely arranged lower premolars, and considerably longer upper canines (Fig. 13 C). As mentioned above, these differences indicate that the fossil form is at a lower level of specialization in comparison with the modern species. In its massive mandible the form from Muselievo is similar to Myotis bechsteinii robustus Topál, 1963, described from the early Pleistocene of Hungary (Repashuta) (Topál 1963 a). This form is also reported from the early Pleistocene of the isle of Malta (Storch 1974) and Hundsheim (Austria) (Rabeder 1972). The individual teeth from these localities correspond in size to the remains from Muselievo and to the recent comparative material from Bulgaria. Unfortunately, the data on the dimensions of upper canines of the forms from Malta and Austria are scarce. The above comparisons indicate that the early fossil forms similar in size to the recent M. bechsteinii need detailed study, especially in order to reveal their relationships with the present-day species. For the time being, on the basis of the similarity in size and morphology of the molars, I tentatively refer the material from Muselievo to M. bechsteinii. The long upper canines probably indicate that we deal with a relatively primitive and unspecialized form.	en	Popov, Vasil V. (2004): Pliocene small mammals (Mammalia, Lipotyphla, Chiroptera, Lagomorpha, Rodentia) from Muselievo (North Bulgaria). Geodiversitas 26 (3): 403-491, DOI: 10.5281/zenodo.5377199
03B287E9FF88FFA8FD726125BDE0FDEB.taxon	materials_examined	MATERIAL EXAMINED. — 8 fragments of mandible with: c 1 - m 1 (Ms 201), m 2 - m 3 (Ms 202, 212), m 1 - m 2 (Ms 207), m 1 (Ms 213), m 2 (Ms 208, 209), m 3 (Ms 210); 7 mandibular fragments without teeth (Ms 211, 221); 36 C 1 (Ms 203, 217, 218); 2 M 1 (Ms 204, 220); 4 M 2 (Ms 205, 220); 1 M 3 (Ms 206); 4 c 1 (Ms 214); 6 m 1 - 2 (Ms 215); 1 m 3 (Ms 218); 4 distal fragments of humerus (Ms 222).	en	Popov, Vasil V. (2004): Pliocene small mammals (Mammalia, Lipotyphla, Chiroptera, Lagomorpha, Rodentia) from Muselievo (North Bulgaria). Geodiversitas 26 (3): 403-491, DOI: 10.5281/zenodo.5377199
03B287E9FF88FFA8FD726125BDE0FDEB.taxon	description	MEASUREMENTS. — See Table 6. DESCRIPTION AND COMPARISONS C 1: the basal cross-section is elliptical with longer axis parallel to tooth row; the cingulum is well developed; there are four grooves along the crown, the anterior furrow is particularly narrow and deep. M 1: in occlusal view, the outline of this tooth is subrectangular with a well pronounced posterolingual talon; the parastyle is well developed forming a right angle with the preparacrista; the tooth is provided with a metaconule, paraloph and metaloph; both lingual and posterior cingula are well developed while the anterior one is lacking. M 2: the tooth resembles the M 1, except for the smaller talon and the obtuse angle between the parastyle and preparacrista. M 3: in occlusal view, the tooth has a subtriangular crown, elongated transversely with respect to the tooth row; the parastyle is similar to that of other upper molars, but smaller; the preparacrista is the longest crista. c 1: it possesses a rounded postero-lingual edge, while in the recent species it is better developed and sharper. The lingual cingulum is poorly pronounced slightly incurved upwards, forming anteriorly a poor protrusion; in the modern species, Miniopterus schreibersii (Kuhl, 1819), this cingulum is well developed, clearly bent up, rising higher upward, and forming a distinct antero-lingual swelling. The talonid is poorly pronounced, forming a small surface in the postero-lingual border of the crown, while in the modern species it is well developed along the whole rear margin of the crown. The crowns of p 2 and p 3 are loosely spaced and barely touch at the margins of the cingula. The crowns of p 3 and p 4, although contiguous, do not overlap in their lingual margins and, as a consequence, in p 4 there is not a protruding antero-lingual corner; in contrast, in the recent species the lingual parts of the crowns overlap and as a results there is a well pronounced anterolingual angle on p 4. In general, the crowns of p 2 - p 4 are less compressed antero-posteriorly than in the recent species. In particular, in labial view, the ventral margins of the crowns of p 2 and p 3 are slightly convex in the fossil form, whereas in the recent species the margins projects considerably ventrally and as a result their cingula have a form of an asymmetrical V in labial view. The crowns of p 3 and p 4 are longer than wide, while in the modern species the situation reversed. In labial view, the crown of p 2 is slightly lower than that of p 3, while in the recent species they are equally high. p 2 has no tubercle on the antero-lingual cingular margin, while in the modern species this bulge is well developed; the crown cross-section is irregularly oval. p 3 is two-rooted; in occlusal view, the crown is trapezoidal or subrectangular. p 4 shows trapezoidal outline in occlusal view, orally tapering, with nearly straight labial margin; it is longer than wide. In the living species this tooth is wider than long, at most squarish, with a clearly convex labial margin (occlusal view). The labial ridge running from the tip reaches the postero-lingual edge of the crown, forming a well pronounced angle at this place. In the recent comparative material, this ridge does not reach the crown margin and there is no postero-lingual angle as seen in occlusal view. The labial cingulum on m 1 is wider under hypo- and protoconid, while on m 2 it is uniformly narrow. m 1 - m 2: nyctalodontic. In labial view the ventral margin of the crown has two convexities each towards a root, and a concavity between the roots; this medial concavity is however shallower than in the recent species, indicating that these molars are not so compressed antero-posteriorly as in the modern species. The labial cingulum of m 1 is wider under the hypo- and protoconid, while this cingulum is uniformly narrow in m 2 and m 3. m 3: nyctalodontic; in labial view, the ventral margin of the crown is nearly straight. The talonid is slightly narrower than the trigonid.	en	Popov, Vasil V. (2004): Pliocene small mammals (Mammalia, Lipotyphla, Chiroptera, Lagomorpha, Rodentia) from Muselievo (North Bulgaria). Geodiversitas 26 (3): 403-491, DOI: 10.5281/zenodo.5377199
03B287E9FF88FFA8FD726125BDE0FDEB.taxon	discussion	REMARKS Many features of the available remains such as a two rooted p 3, nyctalodontic lower molars, a well developed postero-lingual talon on M 1 and M 2, etc., clearly indicate that they are referable to the genus Miniopterus. In general morphology the material is similar to the extant species Miniopterus schreibersii, though the lower right mandible from Muselievo, carrying c 1 - m 1, shows some differences. These concern the anterior part of the lower tooth row: it is more elongated because the canine and premolars, especially p 3 and p 4, are less compressed oro-caudally and these teeth are more loosely spaced than in the modern species. Having in mind that the shortening of the anterior part of tooth row, as shown above and as pointed out by Topál (1979), is one of the best markers of the evolutionary degree in many bat phyletic lineages, it might be considered that the characters that differentiate the fossil material from Muselievo are in less evolved state than in the modern species from North Bulgaria. In this respect it is similar to the Pliocene (MN 14) species, Miniopterus approximatus, described from Podlesice, Poland (Woloszyn 1988). On the other hand, the material from Muselievo differs considerably in having longer lower molars. In this respect, it is closer to the extant species. These comparisons, as well as the age of our material (see below), younger than the form from Podlesice, show that the remains from Muselievo represent an intermediate evolutionary stage between the Pliocene form from Poland and the modern species. The presence of such a transitive form in Muselievo constitutes an important fact, which substantiates the Woloszyn’s (1988) assumption for “ the probable phylogenetic links ” between M. approximatus and the present-day M. schreibersii. Unfortunately, owing to a lack of sufficient material it is at present impossible to analyze these relationships in a reliable detail. For the time being, the remains from Muselievo are tentatively referred to M. approximatus based on their less specialized nature. Order LAGOMORPHA Brandt, 1855	en	Popov, Vasil V. (2004): Pliocene small mammals (Mammalia, Lipotyphla, Chiroptera, Lagomorpha, Rodentia) from Muselievo (North Bulgaria). Geodiversitas 26 (3): 403-491, DOI: 10.5281/zenodo.5377199
03B287E9FFB5FFAFFD1C67BBB990FB8B.taxon	materials_examined	MATERIAL EXAMINED. — 8 p 3 (Ms 59 - 67), 2 p 3 (Ms 380), 1 dp 4 (Ms 381, 19 lower cheek teeth (Ms 382), 1 fragment of mandible with m 1 (Ms 76), 14 upper incisors (Ms 383), 1 dP 2 (Ms 79), 1 P 2 (Ms 75), 3 dP 2 (Ms 384), 1 P 2 (Ms 385), 2 dP 4 (Ms 77 - 78), 8 dP 4 (Ms 386), 2 P 4 or M 1 (Ms 71 - 72), 2 M 2 (Ms 73 - 74), 7 M 2 (Ms 387), 20 upper cheek teeth (Ms 388).	en	Popov, Vasil V. (2004): Pliocene small mammals (Mammalia, Lipotyphla, Chiroptera, Lagomorpha, Rodentia) from Muselievo (North Bulgaria). Geodiversitas 26 (3): 403-491, DOI: 10.5281/zenodo.5377199
03B287E9FFB5FFAFFD1C67BBB990FB8B.taxon	description	MEASUREMENTS. — See Table 7. DESCRIPTION P 2 and dP 2: an oblique and deep paraflexus separates the occlusal surface in two parts. P 3: the occlusal surface of the tooth is ellipsoidal, bearing a crescent shaped paraflexus, filled with crown cementum. The lingual margins of both hypocone and protocone are angular. The enamel is thin or lacking on the postero-buccal margin of the occlusal surface. dP 4: the occlusal surface is elongated. The inner part of the hypoflexus forms a kidney-shaped enamel islet. The occlusal surface of P 4 and M 1 consists of two transverse lophs (anteroloph and posteroloph), separated by a deep hypoflexus, filled with crown cementum. Posteroloph and anteroloph are about equal in width. M 2: anteroloph is wider than posteroloph. There is a postero-lingual process. p 3: the outline of the occlusal surface is nearly triangular. It consists of two lophs, anterior (anteroconid) and posterior ones, which are separated by two deep reentrant folds, paraflexid and protoflexid. The two parts of the occlusal surface are linked by a narrow dentine isthmus. The paraflexid is directed obliquely backward, or, in one specimen, it is nearly parallel to the median axis of the occlusal surface. The protoflexid is transverse. In most specimens, the flexid’s margins are smooth. In two teeth, a slight irregular waviness can be observed. The shape of anteroconid is rhomboidal and its variability concerns the presence or absence of additional anterior reentrant folds. Two specimens (Ms 59 and 67) possess two well developed anterior reentrant folds, filled with crown cementum. These teeth are similar to the materials known from Csarnóta- 2 and Ciuperceni (see below). Other specimens have only buccal reentrant valley (Ms 63, 64, 66) with variable depth. Three other teeth (Ms 63, 64 and 66) show no traces of anteroflexid, or bear very shallow grooves without cementum. The posterior loph has a deep hypoflexid obliquely directed posteriorly. On two specimens, a trace of a mesoflexid occurs on the posterolingual margin. The enamel thickness is variable. It is thick in some parts of crown perimeter, while it is very thin or lacks in some others.	en	Popov, Vasil V. (2004): Pliocene small mammals (Mammalia, Lipotyphla, Chiroptera, Lagomorpha, Rodentia) from Muselievo (North Bulgaria). Geodiversitas 26 (3): 403-491, DOI: 10.5281/zenodo.5377199
03B287E9FFB5FFAFFD1C67BBB990FB8B.taxon	discussion	REMARKS The available p 3 s differ from the members of the genus Pliolagomys Erbaeva, 1983 – P. kujalnikensis (Topacevski & Scorik, 1977) and P. danubicus (Topacevski & Scorik, 1977) –, described from the area of Odessa (the northern Black Sea coast), in having a more symmetrically situated anteroconid and smaller size. Moreover, the paraflexid of those species is nearly perpendicular to the sagital axis of the p 3 occlusal surface. The oblique position of both paraflexid and protoflexid on the specimens from Muselievo corresponds to the morphology of Ochotonoides csarnotanus, known from Csarnóta- 2 (Erbaeva 1988) and Ciuperceni (Terzea & Boroneant 1979). The available p 3 s are considerably smaller than those of the east Asiatic species of the genus Ochotonoides – O. primitivus Zheng & Li, 1982 and O. complicidens Boule & Teilhard de Chardin, 1928. In addition, the material from Muselievo differs from the second species in having smooth margins of paraflexid and protoflexid. These differences clearly show that the west Palearctic members of this morphologic group should be distinguished as a separate genus. This was done by Sen (1998) who, based on the material from the Pliocene locality Çalta (MN 15), Anatolia, Turkey, described the genus Ochotonoma. The type species of the new genus is O. anatolica Sen, 1998, to which the material from Muselievo is very similar. The differences concern some details of the shape of p 3: the more oblique paraflexid and the lack of a mesoflexid (only two specimens bear a trace of mesoflexid) in the sample from Muselievo. Additionally, the form from Muselievo seems slightly larger. In these respects, the material under study compares better with the few specimens from Hungary and Romania, originally referred to Ochotonoides csarotanus (Kretzoi 1959, 1962; Terzea & Boroneant 1979). The variability of the form from Muselievo is great and includes specimens similar to both species. The co-occurrence of two species seems however unlikely, especially having in mind that the extreme morphotypes are connected by intermediate states. In this respect, the form from Muselievo can be considered as a link between the European and Anatolian forms, which corresponds to its intermediate geographical location. The distinction or identity between O. csarnotana and O. anatolica remains to be further substantiated based on further material from Csarnóta- 2.	en	Popov, Vasil V. (2004): Pliocene small mammals (Mammalia, Lipotyphla, Chiroptera, Lagomorpha, Rodentia) from Muselievo (North Bulgaria). Geodiversitas 26 (3): 403-491, DOI: 10.5281/zenodo.5377199
03B287E9FFB2FFA2FF19617BBB6EFC6B.taxon	description	P 2 (Fig. 20): the sample consists of 14 teeth (Ms 93, 93 - 1, 2, 97 - 107, 107 - 1). Three morphotypes can be singled out based on the degree of development of hypoflexus, paraflexus and mesophlexus: 1) the paraflexus is only pronounced (Fig. 20 J): two specimens (Ms 107, 107 - 1). Similar teeth are known in Trischizolagus maritsae De Bruijn, Dawson & Mein, 1970; 2) the paraflexus and mesoflexus present but the latter is shallow and wide: six specimens (Ms 100 - 105) (Fig. 20 E-I). This pattern occurs in Hypolagus beremendensis (Petényi, 1864) (Sych 1965: pl. III, 4 a, b); and 3) the three reentrant folds are well pronounced; the paraflexus is the deepest one and tends to have slightly crenulated margins: four teeth (Ms 93, 93 - 1, 93 - 2, 97 - 99) (Fig. 20 A-D). Similar teeth are known in Pratilepus kutschurganicus Topachevsky, 1980 (Topachevsky 1980: figs 16, 17). The last two morphotypes are not well individualized because they are connected by many intermediates with variable deepness of the hypoflexus and mesophlexus (Ms 106, 93 - 1, 93 - 2) (Fig. 20 I). Some variants of these two morphotypes are known in Pliopentalagus dietrichi (Fejfar, 1961) (Daxner & Fejfar 1967). Upper molariform teeth (P 3 - M 2): four morphotypes can be distinguished based on the degree of waviness of the margins of the hypostria: 1) teeth with wavy walls of the hypostria; 1 a) both walls of the hypostria are considerably and irregularly undulated: 21 teeth (Ms 108 - 109, Ms 389) (Fig. 21 A, C); 1 b) the walls are regularly folded, forming a sinusoid with a great amplitude but with a short period. The peaks and depressions of the walls are strictly opposite: nine teeth. Most probably, these two subgroups reflect the differences between molariform teeth within the same row, likewise in the recent species Pentalagus furnessi (Stone, 1900) (Gureev 1964: fig. 58). As concern the fossil forms, the morphotype 1 a is known for Pliopentalagus dietrichi (Fejfar 1961 a; Daxner & Fejfar 1967) and for the genus Pratilepus Hibbard, 1939 (Hibbard 1939); 2) both walls of the hypostria are no more than slightly wavy or one of them is smooth: 11 teeth (Ms 110 and Ms 390, Fig. 21 F); and 3) nearly smooth walls of the hypostria: 2 teeth (Ms 111, Fig. 21 E). The last two morphotypes may be recognized as characteristic of Hypolagus beremendensis (Sych 1965) and Trischizolagus maritsae (De Bruijn et al. 1970). However such teeth are also known for M 1 and M 2 in species whose premolars and M 1 s show heavily folded walls of the hypostria, for instance some species of the genera Pratilepus, Pliopentalagus Gureev & Konkova, 1964, and Pentalagus Lyon, 1943. Lower molariform teeth (p 4 - m 2): the distinction of the three morphotypes is based on the shape of the anterior wall of talonid: 1) the wall is heavily folded (Fig. 21 D): five teeth (Ms 113 and Ms 391). Such teeth occur in Pliopentalagus dietrichi (Fejfar 1961 a; Daxner & Fejfar 1967). Most probably all these teeth belong to this species. The degree of undulation is lower than in the recent Pentalagus furnessi; 2) the wall is slightly wavy or nearly smooth (Fig. 21 G): 12 teeth (Ms 112 and Ms 392). This pattern occurs in Hypolagus beremendensis (Sych 1965: fig. 5), Trischizolagus (De Bruijn et al. 1970) (= Alilepus Dice, 1931 from Malusteni, Daxner & Fejfar 1967: fig. 5), Pratilepus (Hibbard 1939). It is difficult to find any additional features to permit the separation of these teeth between the species identified in the locality (see below). The sample of Leporinae involves also: 9 upper incisives, 3 lower incisives, 11 upper milk premolars, 19 dp 3, 13 dp 4, 9 m 3 (Ms 393).	en	Popov, Vasil V. (2004): Pliocene small mammals (Mammalia, Lipotyphla, Chiroptera, Lagomorpha, Rodentia) from Muselievo (North Bulgaria). Geodiversitas 26 (3): 403-491, DOI: 10.5281/zenodo.5377199
03B287E9FFBFFFA2FF65615BBDD0FAEB.taxon	materials_examined	MATERIAL EXAMINED. — 5 p 3 (Ms 94 - 96, Ms 394).	en	Popov, Vasil V. (2004): Pliocene small mammals (Mammalia, Lipotyphla, Chiroptera, Lagomorpha, Rodentia) from Muselievo (North Bulgaria). Geodiversitas 26 (3): 403-491, DOI: 10.5281/zenodo.5377199
03B287E9FFBFFFA2FF65615BBDD0FAEB.taxon	description	MEASUREMENTS. — p 3 (L × W): 3.3 × 3.0; 3.25 × 3.07; 2.75 × 3.12; 3.15 × -. DESCRIPTION p 3: the occlusal surface is nearly triangular. There are two reentrant folds on the buccal side. The anterior one (protoflexid) is shallow; the posterior one (hypoflexid) is deep, reaching the medial axis of the occlusal surface. In two specimens, the posterior wall of this reentrant fold is slightly undulated. In one tooth, there is an enamel islet near the end of hypoflexid.	en	Popov, Vasil V. (2004): Pliocene small mammals (Mammalia, Lipotyphla, Chiroptera, Lagomorpha, Rodentia) from Muselievo (North Bulgaria). Geodiversitas 26 (3): 403-491, DOI: 10.5281/zenodo.5377199
03B287E9FFBFFFA2FF65615BBDD0FAEB.taxon	discussion	REMARKS The available p 3 s are clearly smaller than the late Miocene rabbit, Hypolagus igrmovi Gureev, 1964 (Averianov 1996). In size and morphology they are similar to the Pliocene and early Pleistocene forms of the genus that are often considered to belong to two different species: H. beremendensis and H. brachignathus, respectively. According to Fladerer & Reiner (1996), they should be considered as two chronosubspecies. According to Sych (1965), the difference between H. brachignathus and Pliolagus tothi concerning the size and the occurrence of a lingual reentrant fold on p 3 in the last form fall within the ontogenetic variability of the first species. Two out of the three p 3 s available belong to the primitive morphotypes as defined by Fladerer (1987) and Fladerer & Reiner (1996) (edged margin of the talonid; short, triangular trigonid; undulated distal wall of the hypoflexid) characteristic for the Pliocene form. One p 3 is slightly more advanced in having an enlargement of the mesial margin of the trigonid and in the presence of an enamel islet. Thus, the form from Muselievo can be considered as a progressive stage of H. beremendensis beremendensis.	en	Popov, Vasil V. (2004): Pliocene small mammals (Mammalia, Lipotyphla, Chiroptera, Lagomorpha, Rodentia) from Muselievo (North Bulgaria). Geodiversitas 26 (3): 403-491, DOI: 10.5281/zenodo.5377199
03B287E9FFBFFFA1FCE7607BB8C7FA8B.taxon	materials_examined	MATERIAL EXAMINED. — 6 p 3 (Ms 80 - 85). MEASUREMENTS. — p 3 (L × W) = 3.3 × 3.5; 3.12 × 3.2; 3.57 × 3.00; 3.42 × 3.45; 2.6 × 2.95.	en	Popov, Vasil V. (2004): Pliocene small mammals (Mammalia, Lipotyphla, Chiroptera, Lagomorpha, Rodentia) from Muselievo (North Bulgaria). Geodiversitas 26 (3): 403-491, DOI: 10.5281/zenodo.5377199
03B287E9FFBFFFA1FCE7607BB8C7FA8B.taxon	description	DESCRIPTION Both hypoflexid and metaflexid are well developed, reaching near the sagital axis of the occlusal surface, and as a result the dentine bridge between the anterior and posterior segments of the occlusal surface is narrow, or absent (one specimen: Ms 82). In one tooth only (Ms 85) the metaflexid is relatively shallow. In some teeth, the posterior wall of these reentrant folds is slightly wavy. The paraflexid and protoflexid are well pronounced. The anteroflexid is clearly visible on most teeth as a broad and shallow reentrant valley with slightly folded margins in some specimens.	en	Popov, Vasil V. (2004): Pliocene small mammals (Mammalia, Lipotyphla, Chiroptera, Lagomorpha, Rodentia) from Muselievo (North Bulgaria). Geodiversitas 26 (3): 403-491, DOI: 10.5281/zenodo.5377199
03B287E9FFBFFFA1FCE7607BB8C7FA8B.taxon	discussion	REMARKS The p 3 s under consideration show greatest resemblance with Trischizolagus dumitrescuae and Pratilepus kutschurganicus Topachevsky, 1980 (waviness of the posterior wall of the hypoflexid and metaflexid). According to Topachevsky (1980), these species are very similar and the main difference concerns the presence of reentrant folds on the anterior wall of P 2. However, it is debatable whether it is justified to lump certain types of upper premolars with groups of lower premolars having in mind the great diversity of leporids during this time. This author did not provide any clear argumentation in this respect. Some P 2 s with poorly developed lateral reentrant valleys, similar to those of Trischizolagus, have been referred to another species described from the locality, Pratilepus ucrainicus Topachevsky, 1980. Moreover, as in Muselievo, the presence of representatives of the genus Pliopentalagus, for instance P. moldaviensis Gureev & Konkova, 1964 is also possible. Based on these considerations, for the time being, I regard Pratilepus kutschurganicus as a junior synonym of Trischizolagus dumitrescuae. The same opinion has been recently presented by Averinov & Tesakov (1997) regarding the leporids from Novopetrovka and Kuchurgan (Pratilepus kutchurganicus, P. ukrainicus, and Seregnetilagus orientieuropaeus Topachevsky, 1987) as Trischizolagus cf. dumitrescuae. The teeth from Malusteni, reported under the name Alilepus sp. (Daxner & Fejfar 1967) without doubt also belong to T. dumitrescue, described from the same locality (Radulesco & Samson 1967). One tooth from Muselievo (Ms 85) shows similarity with Trischizolagus maritsae De Bruijn, Dawson & Mein, 1970 in having a relatively broad connection between anterior and posterior parts of the occlusal surface. According to De Bruijn et al. (1970), this is a primitive feature. Since this peculiar pattern is presented only in one tooth in the studied material, it can be supposed that the form from Muselievo is more advanced than T. maritsae. The same suggestion derives from the comparisons of the measurements of p 3. According to Averianov & Tesakov (1997), this tooth shows a gradual increase in size from the early to the late Ruscinian. The p 3 s from Muselievo are larger than those from Maritsa (MN 14) and cover the range of the sample of T. dumitrescuae from Malusteni and Beresti (MN 15) (Radulesco & Samson 1967). Based on the broad overlap of the samples of different age, Averianov & Tesakov (1997) consider all the material they studied, including T. maritsae, belong to a single species, T. dumitrescuae. The above comparisons allow concluding that the p 3 sample from Muselievo is very similar to T. dumitrescuae from the late Ruscinian (MN 15) localities from Romania and Moldavia (Radulesco & Samson 1967; Daxner & Fejfar 1967; Averianov & Tesakov 1997). The difference concerns the constant occurrence of very deep para- and protoflexids on the trigonid of p 3 s from Muselievo. Based on the drawings presented by Averianov & Tesakov (1997) it seems that these reentrants are more frequent within the MN 15 samples, although they are not so deep as in the studied material. In this respect, the available p 3 s show similarity with the recent Pronolagus crassicaudatus (Geoffroy, 1832) from East Africa and seem more derived than T. dumitrescuae from the type locality. For the time being, having in mind the limited available sample and the possible ontogenetic variation of the deepness of the para- and protoflexids (Averianov & Tesakov 1997), I consider these differences not enough for the species distinction of the form from Muselievo.	en	Popov, Vasil V. (2004): Pliocene small mammals (Mammalia, Lipotyphla, Chiroptera, Lagomorpha, Rodentia) from Muselievo (North Bulgaria). Geodiversitas 26 (3): 403-491, DOI: 10.5281/zenodo.5377199
03B287E9FFBCFFA1FF7760BBBD10FC4B.taxon	materials_examined	MATERIAL EXAMINED. — 10 p 3 (Ms 86 - 92, Ms 395).	en	Popov, Vasil V. (2004): Pliocene small mammals (Mammalia, Lipotyphla, Chiroptera, Lagomorpha, Rodentia) from Muselievo (North Bulgaria). Geodiversitas 26 (3): 403-491, DOI: 10.5281/zenodo.5377199
03B287E9FFBCFFA1FF7760BBBD10FC4B.taxon	description	MEASUREMENTS. — p 3 (L × W) = 3.90 × 2.80; 4.00 × 3.00; 4.00 × 3.20; 4.00 × 3.10; 4.00 × 2.90; 4.20 × 3.00; 3.80 × 2.90; 3.90 × -; 4.10 × -. DESCRIPTION p 3: the main reentrant valleys (hypoflexid and metaflexid) show heavily crenulated walls, especially the posterior ones. The three reentrant folds on the anterior lobe are well pronounced. In some specimens, they are plicated, forming smaller subordinate folds.	en	Popov, Vasil V. (2004): Pliocene small mammals (Mammalia, Lipotyphla, Chiroptera, Lagomorpha, Rodentia) from Muselievo (North Bulgaria). Geodiversitas 26 (3): 403-491, DOI: 10.5281/zenodo.5377199
03B287E9FFBCFFA1FF7760BBBD10FC4B.taxon	discussion	REMARKS There is close resemblance between the pattern of p 3 and some of the available P 2, P 4 - M 2 in the material from Muselievo, from one hand, and Pliopentalagus dietrichi, from the other (Fejfar 1961 a; Gureev 1964; Daxner & Fejfar 1967). In the same time, the p 3 differs from the closely relat- ed species Pliopentalagus moladaviensis (Gureev 1964: fig. 56), which shows an asymmetrical pattern of the occlusal surface. Order RODENTIA Bowdich, 1821	en	Popov, Vasil V. (2004): Pliocene small mammals (Mammalia, Lipotyphla, Chiroptera, Lagomorpha, Rodentia) from Muselievo (North Bulgaria). Geodiversitas 26 (3): 403-491, DOI: 10.5281/zenodo.5377199
03B287E9FFBAFFA7FF1264C5BB27FA8B.taxon	materials_examined	MATERIAL EXAMINED. — 1 m 3 (Ms 144); (L × W) = 2.02 × 1.8.	en	Popov, Vasil V. (2004): Pliocene small mammals (Mammalia, Lipotyphla, Chiroptera, Lagomorpha, Rodentia) from Muselievo (North Bulgaria). Geodiversitas 26 (3): 403-491, DOI: 10.5281/zenodo.5377199
03B287E9FFBAFFA7FF1264C5BB27FA8B.taxon	description	DESCRIPTION The metalophid is short; the anteroconid is not distinct, incorporated in the anterolophid. The metastylid is very small, situated at the base of the metaconid. The mesolophid is relatively large. There is a well developed antero-buccal reentrant valley. The tooth has four roots but the central lingual root is fused with the posterior one.	en	Popov, Vasil V. (2004): Pliocene small mammals (Mammalia, Lipotyphla, Chiroptera, Lagomorpha, Rodentia) from Muselievo (North Bulgaria). Geodiversitas 26 (3): 403-491, DOI: 10.5281/zenodo.5377199
03B287E9FFBAFFA7FF1264C5BB27FA8B.taxon	discussion	REMARKS The Muselievo specimen differs from the early Miocene species Tamias eviensis De Bruijn, Van der Meulen & Katsikatsos, 1980 in having larger size and somewhat simplified occlusal pattern; the entoconid is not well individualized on the end of the posterolophid, the mesostylid and anteroconid are poorly developed on the anterolophid. In the same time, this tooth is indentical to that of Tamias orlovi from Weze 1 (Sulimski 1964).	en	Popov, Vasil V. (2004): Pliocene small mammals (Mammalia, Lipotyphla, Chiroptera, Lagomorpha, Rodentia) from Muselievo (North Bulgaria). Geodiversitas 26 (3): 403-491, DOI: 10.5281/zenodo.5377199
03B287E9FFBAFFA4FD1A613BBB58FA2B.taxon	description	Pliopetaurista dehneli – Mein 1970: 39, figs 60 - 66.	en	Popov, Vasil V. (2004): Pliocene small mammals (Mammalia, Lipotyphla, Chiroptera, Lagomorpha, Rodentia) from Muselievo (North Bulgaria). Geodiversitas 26 (3): 403-491, DOI: 10.5281/zenodo.5377199
03B287E9FFBAFFA4FD1A613BBB58FA2B.taxon	materials_examined	MATERIAL EXAMINED. — 1 p 4 (Ms 141); (L × W) = 2. 55 × 2. 70.	en	Popov, Vasil V. (2004): Pliocene small mammals (Mammalia, Lipotyphla, Chiroptera, Lagomorpha, Rodentia) from Muselievo (North Bulgaria). Geodiversitas 26 (3): 403-491, DOI: 10.5281/zenodo.5377199
03B287E9FFBAFFA4FD1A613BBB58FA2B.taxon	description	DESCRIPTION The metastylid is well pronounced but it is relatively small, connected with the metaconid. The meta- and protoconids are separated by a narrow valley. The metaconid is prominent on the entolophid. There is an incipient hypolophid, which is connected with the entolophid and directed towards to the bottom of the talonid basin. There is shallow postflexid behind the hypoconid. The tooth is two rooted. The anterior root is round in cross-section, while the posterior one is flattened antero-posteriorly.	en	Popov, Vasil V. (2004): Pliocene small mammals (Mammalia, Lipotyphla, Chiroptera, Lagomorpha, Rodentia) from Muselievo (North Bulgaria). Geodiversitas 26 (3): 403-491, DOI: 10.5281/zenodo.5377199
03B287E9FFBAFFA4FD1A613BBB58FA2B.taxon	discussion	REMARKS This premolar is shorter but wider than the respective tooth of Pliopetaurista pliocaenica (Depéret, 1897) (Mein 1970). The occlusal pattern of the tooth entirely conforms to Pliopetaurista dehneli from Weze 2, Poland (Sulimski 1964: fig. 5). It differs however by its slightly larger size and in having only two roots. In this respect, it is similar with Pliopetaurista schaubi (Sulimski, 1964) from Weze 1. However, the original material does not include p 4, so it is difficult to make direct comparisons. On the other hand, some authors questioned the specific distinction between these forms (Mein 1970; Terzea 1980). Moreover, two rooted p 4 s were also found in P. dehneli (Sulimski, 1964). It is possible that P. shaubi is an extreme variant of P. dehneli (Terzea 1980). Such a large form, described as P. dehneli, is known from Ciuperceni, Romania (Terzea 1980). Another closely related species, Pliopetaurista moldaviensis Baranova & Konkova, 1974, is described from Moldavia and the Russian plain. According to Terzea (1980), this form is also identical with P. dehneli. Family GLIRIDAE Thomas, 1897	en	Popov, Vasil V. (2004): Pliocene small mammals (Mammalia, Lipotyphla, Chiroptera, Lagomorpha, Rodentia) from Muselievo (North Bulgaria). Geodiversitas 26 (3): 403-491, DOI: 10.5281/zenodo.5377199
03B287E9FFB9FFBAFF0060C5BD29FA0B.taxon	materials_examined	HOLOTYPE. — Right M 2, Ms 129 (Fig. 25 H). FIGURED PARATYPES. — 2 m 1 (ms 122, 123), 3 m 2 (ms 124, 125, 126), 1 m 1 (ms 128), 2 m 2 (ms 127, 129), 1 m 3 (ms 130).	en	Popov, Vasil V. (2004): Pliocene small mammals (Mammalia, Lipotyphla, Chiroptera, Lagomorpha, Rodentia) from Muselievo (North Bulgaria). Geodiversitas 26 (3): 403-491, DOI: 10.5281/zenodo.5377199
03B287E9FFB9FFBAFF0060C5BD29FA0B.taxon	etymology	ETYMOLOGY. — Complicidentatus because of its complicated occlusal surface of the upper molars.	en	Popov, Vasil V. (2004): Pliocene small mammals (Mammalia, Lipotyphla, Chiroptera, Lagomorpha, Rodentia) from Muselievo (North Bulgaria). Geodiversitas 26 (3): 403-491, DOI: 10.5281/zenodo.5377199
03B287E9FFB9FFBAFF0060C5BD29FA0B.taxon	materials_examined	TYPE LOCALITY. — Muselievo, Bulgaria. OTHER MATERIAL EXAMINED. — 1 m 2 (Ms 125 - 1).	en	Popov, Vasil V. (2004): Pliocene small mammals (Mammalia, Lipotyphla, Chiroptera, Lagomorpha, Rodentia) from Muselievo (North Bulgaria). Geodiversitas 26 (3): 403-491, DOI: 10.5281/zenodo.5377199
03B287E9FFB9FFBAFF0060C5BD29FA0B.taxon	description	MEASUREMENTS. — See Table 8.	en	Popov, Vasil V. (2004): Pliocene small mammals (Mammalia, Lipotyphla, Chiroptera, Lagomorpha, Rodentia) from Muselievo (North Bulgaria). Geodiversitas 26 (3): 403-491, DOI: 10.5281/zenodo.5377199
03B287E9FFB9FFBAFF0060C5BD29FA0B.taxon	diagnosis	DIAGNOSIS. — A large Myomimus species with broad upper molars bearing centrolophs. DIFFERENTIAL DIAGNOSIS. — Myomimus complicidentatus n. sp. has larger molars than Myomimus dehmi (De Bruijn, 1966) and Myomimus maritsensis De Bruijn, Dawson & Mein, 1970. It differs from Myomimus qafzensis (Haas, 1973) and the Quaternary populations of M. roachi (Bate, 1937) in having broa- der upper molars, larger lower molars, and more complicated occlusal pattern of the upper molars, which always bear well developed centrolophs and some times an anterior extra ridge present.	en	Popov, Vasil V. (2004): Pliocene small mammals (Mammalia, Lipotyphla, Chiroptera, Lagomorpha, Rodentia) from Muselievo (North Bulgaria). Geodiversitas 26 (3): 403-491, DOI: 10.5281/zenodo.5377199
03B287E9FFB9FFBAFF0060C5BD29FA0B.taxon	description	DESCRIPTION Lower molars (m 1 - 2): the teeth show three roots. There are four main ridges on the concave occlusal surface – anterolophid, metalophid, mesolophid, and posterolophid. There is a posterior extra ridge in the valley between the mesolophid and posterolophid. Upper molars (M 1 - 2): three roots. The occlusal surface is clearly concave. In two specimens, the anteroloph is separated from the paracone as well as from the protocone. In one tooth (Ms 127), it is connected with the protocone. The protoloph and metaloph meet and form a symmetrical arc. The posteroloph connects these ridges lingually. In most cases the anterior and posterior centrolophs are well developed, connected to the protoloph and metaloph, respectively. The anterior centroloph is usually larger. M 3: there are two centrolophs. The anterior one is longer, separated from the paracone.	en	Popov, Vasil V. (2004): Pliocene small mammals (Mammalia, Lipotyphla, Chiroptera, Lagomorpha, Rodentia) from Muselievo (North Bulgaria). Geodiversitas 26 (3): 403-491, DOI: 10.5281/zenodo.5377199
03B287E9FFB9FFBAFF0060C5BD29FA0B.taxon	discussion	REMARKS The teeth from Muselievo are larger than those of the fossil species of the genera Myomimus, Peridyromys Stehlin & Schaub, 1951, Microdyromys De Bruijn, 1966 and Ramys Garcia Moreno & Lopez Martinez, 1986 with similar dental pattern (De Bruijn & Rumke 1974; Van de Weerd 1973; Storch 1975; Daams 1981; Hugueney 1968; Aguilar 1974): Myomimus maritsensis De Bruijn, Dawson & Mein, 1970, M. dehmi (De Bruijn, 1966), Myomimus sp., M. roachi (Bate, 1937), M. qafzensis (Haas, 1973), Microdyromys koenigswaldi De Bruijn, 1966, Peridyromys murinus (Pomel, 1953), P. aquatilis (De Bruijn & Moltzer, 1974) and Ramys multicrestatus (De Bruijn, 1966), (the taxonomy is after Daams & De Bruijn 1995). In size, the form from Muselievo is similar to the Miocene species Miodyromys aegercii (Baudelot, 1972) but it possesses a greater number of extra ridges (Aguilar 1980). In general, the teeth from Muselievo show rather complicated occlusal pattern, comparable with the earlier forms of the genus: Myomimus dehmi and M. maritsensis (Daams 1981). The dental pattern of the molars under study differs from that of Myomimus maritsensis by having somewhat more complicated occlusal surface: the constant presence of a posterior centroloph on M 1 - 2 and posterior extra ridge on m 1 - 2. The occlusal pattern of the M 1 - 2 s available is more complicated in comparison with the Quaternary populations of Myomimus roachi (Daams 1981; Van der Meulen & Doukas 2001). On the other hand, some specimens of the upper Pleistocene species Myomimus qafzensis (Israel) also show a rather complicated occlusal surface: presence of centrolophs (M 1 - 2). Nevertheless, the populations from Israel look more progressive (see below) since these ridges are shorter (Daams 1981: pl. 3). An additional difference concerns the great frequency of the endoloph of M 2 s in the populations of Myomimus qafzensis (morphotypes C, Ce of M 1 - 2, cf. Daams 1981). This ridge lacks in the small sample from Muselievo. As concern the lower molars, some middle and upper Pleistocene populations of M. roachi and M. qafzensis include specimens with posterior extra ridge. In these cases, again, the Pleistocene populations look more advanced in comparison with the material from Muselievo in having shorter extra ridges (Daams 1981: pl. 2). Some of the available lower molars fall in the upper part of the size variability of these populations (Daams 1981). The small size of the sample from Muselievo does not permit detailed comparisons, but the above-mentioned size differences do not allow to refer the material available to these species. According to Daams (1981) the main trend within M. dehmi-M. roachi evolutionary lineage is towards a simplification of the dental pattern and size increase. The simplification includes the loss of the posterior extra ridge and the shortening of the centrolophid in the lower molars, while the M 1 - 2 s lose extra ridges and centrolophs. It is not clear whether the size differences between populations are due to spatio-temporal environmental variation or to evolution (Daams 1981). The population from Muselievo fits well within this pattern. Having in mind the age of the locality (MN 15 b, see below), it can be supposed that the new species is a direct descendant of M. dehmi (MN 9 - 12; Daams 1981). The northern position of the locality probably additionally strengthens the considerable size increase in comparison with the populations of M. dehmi from Spain and Greece (Daams 1981). The earlier East Mediterranean species, M. maritsensis (MN 14; Daams 1981), seems more progressive than the population from Muselievo in having a more simplified M 1 occlusal pattern (Daams 1981: fig. 30). Myomimus complicidentatus n. sp. can be considered as a potential ancestor of the upper Pleistocene M. qafzensis from Israel. The smaller size of the southern Pleistocene species can be attributed to a geographical variation.	en	Popov, Vasil V. (2004): Pliocene small mammals (Mammalia, Lipotyphla, Chiroptera, Lagomorpha, Rodentia) from Muselievo (North Bulgaria). Geodiversitas 26 (3): 403-491, DOI: 10.5281/zenodo.5377199
03B287E9FFA7FFBBFD206325B8A8FA2B.taxon	materials_examined	MATERIAL EXAMINED. — 2 M 1 - 2 (Ms 131, 132); (L × W) = 1.43 × 1.62; 1.27 × 1.67.	en	Popov, Vasil V. (2004): Pliocene small mammals (Mammalia, Lipotyphla, Chiroptera, Lagomorpha, Rodentia) from Muselievo (North Bulgaria). Geodiversitas 26 (3): 403-491, DOI: 10.5281/zenodo.5377199
03B287E9FFA7FFBBFD206325B8A8FA2B.taxon	description	DESCRIPTION Medium sized glirid. The anteroloph is disconnected from the protocone as well as from the paracone. The posterior centroloph is strong. The posteroloph is not connected to the metacone but links lingually to the protocone.	en	Popov, Vasil V. (2004): Pliocene small mammals (Mammalia, Lipotyphla, Chiroptera, Lagomorpha, Rodentia) from Muselievo (North Bulgaria). Geodiversitas 26 (3): 403-491, DOI: 10.5281/zenodo.5377199
03B287E9FFA7FFBBFD206325B8A8FA2B.taxon	discussion	REMARKS The original description of Kretzoi (1959) is rather laconic without designation of a holotype. Thus, it is difficult to make direct comparisons with the Hungarian material. The Muselievo specimens are identical with the respective teeth from Toukobounia I (early Pleistocene, Greece) (De Bruijn & Van der Meulen 1975). These authors mentioned the great similarity between the Pliocene genus Dryomimus and the Miocene Pseudodryomys De Bruijn, 1965 from Spain. Most probably, this similarity results of a parallel evolution. Therefore, the use of a separate name for the Pliocene genus seems reasonable (De Bruijn & Van der Meulen 1975). The genera Dryomimus and Myomimus were synonymized by Kowalski (1963). However, the occurrence of a posterior centroloph only is a rather unusual feature for glirids, and consequently this opinion is rejected (De Bruijn et al. 1970). The material from Muselievo is similar to the molar from Kotlovina (lower and middle layers) (Topachevsky & Nesin 1989), described as Myomimus cf. eliomyoides. This damaged specimen is possibly a little smaller but the limited material from both localities does not allow further comparisons.	en	Popov, Vasil V. (2004): Pliocene small mammals (Mammalia, Lipotyphla, Chiroptera, Lagomorpha, Rodentia) from Muselievo (North Bulgaria). Geodiversitas 26 (3): 403-491, DOI: 10.5281/zenodo.5377199
03B287E9FFA6FFBBFF2B631BBB9AF90B.taxon	materials_examined	MATERIAL EXAMINED. — 1 p 4 (Ms 133), 2 m 1 (Ms 134), 1 m 2 (Ms 135), 2 P 4 (Ms 136), 7 M 1 - 2 (Ms 138, 139, 139 - 1 - 5), 1 M 3 (Ms 139).	en	Popov, Vasil V. (2004): Pliocene small mammals (Mammalia, Lipotyphla, Chiroptera, Lagomorpha, Rodentia) from Muselievo (North Bulgaria). Geodiversitas 26 (3): 403-491, DOI: 10.5281/zenodo.5377199
03B287E9FFA6FFBBFF2B631BBB9AF90B.taxon	description	MEASUREMENTS (L × W). — p 4 = 1.08 × 1.02; m 1 = 1.58 × 1.54; 1.57 × 1.45; m 2 = 1.57 × 1.57; P 4 = 1.15 × 1.34; 1.15 × 1.20; M 1 - 2 = 1.53 × 1.60; 1.50 × 1.53; 1.45 × 1.60; 1.57 × 1.50; 1.62 × 1.55; 1.52 × 1.57; 1.40 × 1.60; M 3 = 1.22 × 1.48. DESCRIPTION p 4 has one root. The shape of the occlusal surface is triangular with rounded angles. There are four main and two extra ridges. The lower molars are with two roots. The dental pattern of the lower molars consists of four main ridges, one centrolophid and two extra ridges in the anterior and posterior basins, respectively. P 4 shows rounded occlusal surface with six ridges. The upper molars are three rooted. They possess four main ridges, one centroloph and two extra ridges (between anteroloph and protoloph, and between metaloph and pos- teroloph). The occlusal surface of M 3 shows similar pattern.	en	Popov, Vasil V. (2004): Pliocene small mammals (Mammalia, Lipotyphla, Chiroptera, Lagomorpha, Rodentia) from Muselievo (North Bulgaria). Geodiversitas 26 (3): 403-491, DOI: 10.5281/zenodo.5377199
03B287E9FFA6FFBBFF2B631BBB9AF90B.taxon	discussion	REMARKS The proposed synonymy between Glis minor and G. sackdillingens (Heller, 1930) (De Bruijn & Van der Meulen 1975) seems unlikely since these forms differ in size and show complementary stratigraphic ranges. Kowalski (1963), based on the teeth proportions, considered Glis minor as a specialized form, which probably is not in direct evolutionary relationship with the recent species. The overall appearance of the material from Muselievo agrees well with Glis minor from Weze (Kowalski 1963), a n d G u n d e r s h e i m - 4 (G e r n a m y (F e j f a r & Storch 1990). Some of the available teeth are slightly smaller than the teeth of G. minor from Wölfersheim (Germany) (Dahlmann 2001).	en	Popov, Vasil V. (2004): Pliocene small mammals (Mammalia, Lipotyphla, Chiroptera, Lagomorpha, Rodentia) from Muselievo (North Bulgaria). Geodiversitas 26 (3): 403-491, DOI: 10.5281/zenodo.5377199
03B287E9FFA5FFBFFF0D67DBBA89FDAB.taxon	materials_examined	MATERIAL EXAMINED. — 23 m 1 (Ms 223 - 235), 1 mandibular fragment (Ms 236), 10 m 2 (Ms 235 - 241), 5 m 3 (Ms 261 - 263), 18 M 1 (Ms 243 - 251, 264), 7 M 2 (Ms 252 - 258), 3 M 3 (Ms 242, 259, 260).	en	Popov, Vasil V. (2004): Pliocene small mammals (Mammalia, Lipotyphla, Chiroptera, Lagomorpha, Rodentia) from Muselievo (North Bulgaria). Geodiversitas 26 (3): 403-491, DOI: 10.5281/zenodo.5377199
03B287E9FFA5FFBFFF0D67DBBA89FDAB.taxon	description	MEASUREMENTS. — See Table 9. DESCRIPTION m 1: the anterocentral tubercle is fairly well developed and isolated on unworn teeth. In the latter stages of wear, it fuses with the anterior pair of cusps. In unworn teeth, the anterior and middle pairs of cusps are separated by a narrow valley. In some worn specimens, they are connected by a sagital pass. The posterior lamina is always isolated. The talonid is of medium size, oval and slightly elongated transversally. The labial accessory cusps are variable in size and number. The posterior one is always well developed, rounded and quickly becomes confluent with the hypoconid with wear. The other accessory cusps may lack, but more often, they are two, adjacent to the anterior and the middle pairs of cusps, respectively. In some specimens additional weak buds may occur. m 2: the accessory labial cusps, beside the anterior one, are poor (near the hypoconid) or lacking. m 3: there is a weak anterior add cusp. M 1: these molars possess three roots. The t 1 is considerably pushed to the back and is separated from the t 2. In some specimens t 3 has a labially directed spur reaching the base of the t 6. Most often, the t 4 and t 7 are not connected until the late stages of wear. Sometimes the t 8 and t 9 are also separated. The t 7 is elongated and looks like a broad ridge. The posterior cingulum (t 12) is well developed. M 2: the majority of teeth have three roots, but some specimens show 4 or 5 roots. The t 1 is larger than the t 3 and they are set apart. The pairs of adjacent cusps, t 4 / t 7 and t 8 / t 9, are separated during the early and middle wearing stages. The t 7 is elongated. M 3: the tooth is three rooted. The t 3 is lacking. The other cusps are connected in various combinations.	en	Popov, Vasil V. (2004): Pliocene small mammals (Mammalia, Lipotyphla, Chiroptera, Lagomorpha, Rodentia) from Muselievo (North Bulgaria). Geodiversitas 26 (3): 403-491, DOI: 10.5281/zenodo.5377199
03B287E9FFA5FFBFFF0D67DBBA89FDAB.taxon	discussion	REMARKS Some species of large murids, showing pronounced hypsodonty and presence of t 7 on M 1 and M 2, are known from Europe. The first described species is Rhagapodemus frequens Kretzoi, 1959, from the late Pliocene of Csarnóta (Carpathian basin, Hungary). This species is also recorded in Poland (Weze 1, Sulimski 1964). Subsequently, a more evolved form, Rh. frequens athensis De Bruijn & Van der Meulen, 1975, was reported from the south of Greece (the early Pleistocene locality of Tourkobounia). This form is considered as a separate species by Martin Suarez & Mein (1998). Two closely related species differing in size were described from France: Rhagapodemus hautimagnensis Mein & Michaux, 1970 (large), and Rh. ballesoi Mein & Michaux, 1970 (small). The first species is also known from the early Ruscinian of Greece (Van de Weerd 1979). Another species, Rh. wandeweerdi De Bruijn & Van der Meulen, 1975, was reported from the isle of Rhodes (the locality Maritsa). Initially this material was described under the name Apodemus aff. jeanteti Michaux, 1967 (De Bruijn et al. 1970). This short review of the Pliocene findings of the genus shows that it evolved in south and southeastern Europe. The main evolutionary trend is the increase of size and hypsodonty. The latest form, Rh. frequens athensis, is the largest one and has higher crowned molars. Therefore, it can be supposed that the forms of this phyletic lineage have stratigraphical significance for the Pliocene and the early Pleistocene. The teeth from Muselievo are larger than these of the Greek population of Rhagapodemus hautimagnensis. In this respect, they are similar with Rh. hautimagnensis from its type locality (Mein & Michaux 1970) as well as with Rh. wandeweerdi. On the other hand, the molars available are smaller than the molars of the latter forms (Rh. frequens [Sulimski 1964] and Rh. frequens athensis). It appears that the Rhagapodemus - assemblage under consideration shows an intermediate evolutionary stage. Although similar in size, the molars from Muselievo differs from Rhagapodemus wandeweerdi (cf. De Bruijn & Van der Meulen 1975) by: 1) having an oval posterior labial accessory cusp (c 1) on m 1, which fuses quickly with the hypoconid; 2) a poor or lacking posterior accessory cusp on m 2; and 3) a large distance between the t 1 and t 3 on M 2. In these features the material is similar with Rh. hautimagnensis and Rh. frequens. Therefore, if one considers these species as evolutionary stages of one phyletic lineage, the population from Muselievo provides a link between them. The material is tentatively referred to the first species on the basis of the similarity in size. Although some small molars of Rhagapodemus are reminiscent at first glance of that of Sylvaemus they are readily distinguishable by their hypsodonty and occlusal pattern. In Rhagapodemus, the crowns of molars are high and the wear surfaces of the cusps and the ridges all lie in about the same (horizontal) plane. In contrast, in Sylvaemus, these surfaces are oblique to the horizontal plane and the ridges between cusps are lower (Van de Weerd 1979).	en	Popov, Vasil V. (2004): Pliocene small mammals (Mammalia, Lipotyphla, Chiroptera, Lagomorpha, Rodentia) from Muselievo (North Bulgaria). Geodiversitas 26 (3): 403-491, DOI: 10.5281/zenodo.5377199
03B287E9FFA2FFB3FD2960FBBB52FD6B.taxon	materials_examined	MATERIAL EXAMINED. — 33 m 1 (Ms 275 - 286), 12 m 2 (Ms 287 - 293), 2 m 3 (Ms 304 - 305), 34 M 1 (Ms 265 - 274, 301 - 303), 19 M 2 (Ms 294 - 300).	en	Popov, Vasil V. (2004): Pliocene small mammals (Mammalia, Lipotyphla, Chiroptera, Lagomorpha, Rodentia) from Muselievo (North Bulgaria). Geodiversitas 26 (3): 403-491, DOI: 10.5281/zenodo.5377199
03B287E9FFA2FFB3FD2960FBBB52FD6B.taxon	description	MEASUREMENTS. — See Table 10. DESCRIPTION M 1: this tooth is three rooted. Only one specimen possesses four roots. In some young specimens the t 1 is shifted backward and is separated from the t 2. Accessory small cusps t 1 - bis and t 2 - bis practically absent. Rarely, some specimens have a short backward directed spur on t 3. The t 4 is situated slightly anteriorly than the t 6. The t 4 and the t 7 are disconnected. They fuse at latter stages of wear. The posterior cingulum (t 12) is well developed. M 2: the number of roots is three (6 specimens) or four (2 specimens). Both t 9 and t 12 are well developed. m 1: the anterocentral cusp is well developed and sometimes isolated in unworn teeth, but it quickly connects to the posterior lamina with further wear. The anterior and the middle pairs of cusps are connected by a short sagittal ridge. The labial accessory tubercles are variable in size, shape and number. The posterior one, being the largest, is separated from the hypoconid in some specimens or fused with this tubercle in others. The other two or three add cusps are weak buds on a low cingular ridge. The terminal hell is of medium size. m 2: the anterolabial cusp is continuing posteriorly by a more or less complete labial ridge which may bear one or two small tubercles.	en	Popov, Vasil V. (2004): Pliocene small mammals (Mammalia, Lipotyphla, Chiroptera, Lagomorpha, Rodentia) from Muselievo (North Bulgaria). Geodiversitas 26 (3): 403-491, DOI: 10.5281/zenodo.5377199
03B287E9FFA2FFB3FD2960FBBB52FD6B.taxon	discussion	REMARKS The overlap in dental morphology (size, occlusal pattern) in the two closely related recent species, Sylvaemus sylvaticus (Linnaeus, 1758) and S. flavicollis (Melchior, 1834), is such that individual specimens are often indeterminable. As in recent forms, the determination of sympatric fossil species of the genus, based on dental features alone, meets with considerable difficulties. According to the size, the available molars are larg- er than those of S. atavus Heller, 1936 from Gundersheim- 4 (Fejfar & Storch 1990). They belong to a medium sized form. Based on some primitive characters (M 1 and M 2 with three roots and a well developed posterior cingulum, a posterior shifting of the t 1 on M 1, etc.), one may distinguish the older medium sized forms, characteristic for the Pliocene and early Pleistocene, from the advanced forms of the Late Quaternary (Pasquier 1974; De Bruijn & Van der Meulen 1975). According to Pasquier (1974), two European allopatric species occupied the lower evolutionary level – Sylvaemus occitanus (Pasquier, 1974) (western Europe) and S. dominans (Kretzoi, 1959) (Central and Eastern Europe). The differences between these forms are not impressive and concern the frequency of some details in the structure of the molars. It appears that the variation found between these species has the same range within species. According to De Bruijn & Van der Meulen (1975), the use of two specific names complicates the taxonomy unnecessarily. The available material confirms this point of view. The pattern of upper molars corresponds to Sylvaemus occitanus, while the lower ones are similar to S. dominans. The presence of four roots in some M 2 s shows that the population from Muselievo is somewat more advanced, in comparison, for instance, with the form from Maritsa (De Bruijn et al. 1970). The larger size of the molars from Muselievo in comparison with these of S. dominans from the early Ruscinian in Greece (Van de Weerd 1979) should also be interpreted in this direction. Family CRICETIDAE Murray, 1866	en	Popov, Vasil V. (2004): Pliocene small mammals (Mammalia, Lipotyphla, Chiroptera, Lagomorpha, Rodentia) from Muselievo (North Bulgaria). Geodiversitas 26 (3): 403-491, DOI: 10.5281/zenodo.5377199
03B287E9FFAEFFB0FF0B661BB853FE48.taxon	materials_examined	MATERIAL EXAMINED. — 2 M 1 (Ms 311, 313), 2 m 1 (Ms 309 - 310).	en	Popov, Vasil V. (2004): Pliocene small mammals (Mammalia, Lipotyphla, Chiroptera, Lagomorpha, Rodentia) from Muselievo (North Bulgaria). Geodiversitas 26 (3): 403-491, DOI: 10.5281/zenodo.5377199
03B287E9FFAEFFB0FF0B661BB853FE48.taxon	description	MEASUREMENTS (L × W). — M 1 = 1.82 × 1. 30; 1.95 × 1.29; m 1 = 2.00 × 1.22; 1.97 × 1.27. DESCRIPTION m 1: the anteroconid consists of two poorly individualized cusps, which are either in close connection (unworn specimen) or widely associated but with separated dentine fields (slightly worn specimen). Although there is a short spur on the anterolophid, directed postero-labially, the anterosinusid remains open. The anterolophulid is single. The main tubercles alternate. The mesolophid is lacking. The posterolophid is well developed but it does not close the posterosinusid. M 1: the anterocone is bicuspide but its parts are closely situated, so, in some cases, their anterior parts connect and form an anterior pit. The main cusps are opposite and the inner parts of the respective labial valleys soon become reduced by the conversion of their inner portions into enamel pits. The posterior cingulum is well developed.	en	Popov, Vasil V. (2004): Pliocene small mammals (Mammalia, Lipotyphla, Chiroptera, Lagomorpha, Rodentia) from Muselievo (North Bulgaria). Geodiversitas 26 (3): 403-491, DOI: 10.5281/zenodo.5377199
03B287E9FFAEFFB0FF0B661BB853FE48.taxon	discussion	REMARKS The early evolutionary stages of small hamsters of modern type, such as Allocricetus, Cricetulus Milne-Edwards, 1867, Tscherkia Ognev, 1914, and Cricetinus Zdansky, 1928 are poorly known. Four forms, Cricetulus sp. I, Cricetulus sp. II, Cricetinus europaeus Kretzoi, 1959 and Cricetinus beremendensis Hir, 1994, similar in size to the material from Muselievo, are known from some Vallesian (Sumeg, MN 10) and Pliocene (Osztramos 1, Csarnóta, Beremend 15, MN 14 - 16) localities of Hungary (Kordos 1987; Hir 1994). These forms differ from the population under study in having an undivided anteroconid on m 1. This feature may be considered as a primitive one. More over Cricetinus europaeus from Csarnóta- 2 shows a double anterolophulid on this tooth. On the other hand, the occlusal pattern of M 1 of C. europaeus is very similar to the material from Muselievo and to the Pleistocene populations of Allocricetus bursae. The Far East Pleistocene species Cricetinus varians Zdansky (Fejfar 1970; Vorontsov 1982) differs from the Hungarian species by having mesolophid on the lower molars. The material from the late Pliocene locality Maritsa (the isle of Rhodes, Greece), described as? Cricetulus sp. (De Bruijn et al. 1970) is similar in size with the specimens from Muselievo but it differs in the presence of a short mesolophid on m 1. According to Sen (1977), these specimens should be referred to Mesocricetus primitivus De Bruijn, Dawson & Mein, 1970, described from the same locality. The teeth from the Slovakian locality Ivanovce (MN 15), described as Allocricetus cf. bursae, are smaller than the specimens from Muselievo. In this respect, they differ also from the comparative material of A. bursae from Zirany and Hundsheim (Fejfar 1970). Moreover nearly all M 1 s from Ivanovce show undivided anterocone, while this tubercle is clearly divided in the material from Muselievo. The available teeth are similar in size and overall occlusal pattern to the Pleistocene populations of Allocricetus bursae from Bulgaria. Although the anteroconid of the m 1 s from Muselievo is clearly divided, both parts are closely set, giving in this way a more primitive appearance of the population under consideration. However, this feature occurs also in some Pleistocene samples of Allocricetus bursae from Bulgaria (Varbeshnitsa, Morovitsa) (Popov 1988, 1989). These comparisons suggest that the teeth from Muselievo most probably belong to a primitive form of Allocricetus bursae.	en	Popov, Vasil V. (2004): Pliocene small mammals (Mammalia, Lipotyphla, Chiroptera, Lagomorpha, Rodentia) from Muselievo (North Bulgaria). Geodiversitas 26 (3): 403-491, DOI: 10.5281/zenodo.5377199
03B287E9FFADFFB0FF12673BBD0FFE6B.taxon	materials_examined	MATERIAL EXAMINED. — 3 M 1 (Ms 312, 314, 315), 1 M 3 (Ms 319), 3 m 1 (Ms 306 - 308), 3 m 2 (Ms 316 - 318).	en	Popov, Vasil V. (2004): Pliocene small mammals (Mammalia, Lipotyphla, Chiroptera, Lagomorpha, Rodentia) from Muselievo (North Bulgaria). Geodiversitas 26 (3): 403-491, DOI: 10.5281/zenodo.5377199
03B287E9FFADFFB0FF12673BBD0FFE6B.taxon	description	MEASUREMENTS (L × W). — M 1 = 2.35 × 1.65; 2.25 × 1.54; 2.10 × 1.44; M 3 = 1.40 × 1.25; m 1 = 2.09 × 1.42; 2.04 × 1.29; 2.16 × 1.37; m 2 = 1.66 × 1.34; 1.70 × 1.40; 1.70 × 1.29. DESCRIPTION m 1: the anteroconid is separated in two small cusps. One aberrant specimen (Ms 308) possesses an extra cuspule between these cusps and they are practically connected. The anterolophulid is single, connected with the anterior part of the metaconid. There is no mesolophid. The protosinusid and the sinusid are closed by low cingula. The posterolophid does not reach the base of the entoconid. m 2: the lingual branch of the anterior cingulum is short, while the labial one is well developed. There is no mesolophid. M 1: during the early stages of wear, the inner part of the valleys between the main opposite tubercles become pits. The valley between the two parts of the anterocone opens anteriorly. M 3: both branches of the anteroloph are well developed. There are two pits between the opposite main cusps.	en	Popov, Vasil V. (2004): Pliocene small mammals (Mammalia, Lipotyphla, Chiroptera, Lagomorpha, Rodentia) from Muselievo (North Bulgaria). Geodiversitas 26 (3): 403-491, DOI: 10.5281/zenodo.5377199
03B287E9FFADFFB0FF12673BBD0FFE6B.taxon	discussion	REMARKS The simplified occlusal pattern distinguishes the material from the Pliocene hamsters of comparable size. In the same time, the available teeth are similar to the latest Pliocene and early Pleistocene populations of Allocricetus ehiki from Poland (Pradel 1988). The studied m 2 s lack a mesolophid, differing in this way from Mesocricetus primitivus (De Bruijn et al. 1970). Family ARVICOLIDAE Gray, 1821	en	Popov, Vasil V. (2004): Pliocene small mammals (Mammalia, Lipotyphla, Chiroptera, Lagomorpha, Rodentia) from Muselievo (North Bulgaria). Geodiversitas 26 (3): 403-491, DOI: 10.5281/zenodo.5377199
03B287E9FFADFFB6FD12673BBAC2FB0B.taxon	materials_examined	MATERIAL EXAMINED. — 2 m 1 (Ms 43 - 44) and 4 fragmentary m 1 (Ms 45 - 48), 3 M 3 (Ms 49 - 56).	en	Popov, Vasil V. (2004): Pliocene small mammals (Mammalia, Lipotyphla, Chiroptera, Lagomorpha, Rodentia) from Muselievo (North Bulgaria). Geodiversitas 26 (3): 403-491, DOI: 10.5281/zenodo.5377199
03B287E9FFADFFB6FD12673BBAC2FB0B.taxon	description	MEASUREMENTS. — Lm 1 = 2.75; 3.05; Wm 1 = 1.05; 1.15; LM 3 = 1.45; 1.75; 1.70. DESCRIPTION The molars lack crown-cementum. Most m 1 s have enamel lightly differentiated, somewhat thicker on the anterior sides of the triangles. The anterolingual enamel-free area (anterosinuid) is relatively high. Two m 1 fragments bear a Mimomys - ridge and a prismfold but these elements are not very prominent on the occlusal surface; the prismfold is wide and shallow while the relatively weak Mimomys - ridge is shifted anteriorly. On the lateral side of the crown, these elements are poorly pronounced on the uppermost part of the wall only, and probably vanish quickly with tooth wear. M 3: the second reentrant angle (BRA 2) is rather shallow. In contrast, the second lingual reentrant angle (LRA 2) and BRA 2 are deep and separate the occlusal surface in three dentine fields; the second buccal salient angle (BSA 2) is incipient; the posterior loop (PC 1) is short and simple; two roots; the dentine trucks are not developed (but see specimen Ms 50, which shows enamel interruptions); there are no enamel islets.	en	Popov, Vasil V. (2004): Pliocene small mammals (Mammalia, Lipotyphla, Chiroptera, Lagomorpha, Rodentia) from Muselievo (North Bulgaria). Geodiversitas 26 (3): 403-491, DOI: 10.5281/zenodo.5377199
03B287E9FFADFFB6FD12673BBAC2FB0B.taxon	discussion	REMARKS The m 1 material from Muselievo is similar to Propliomys hungaricus (Kormos, 1934) a species, which is common in many European Pliocene faunas (Kormos 1934 b: fig. 46; De Bruijn & Van der Meulen 1975: pl. 1, figs 5, 6; Fejfar & Storch 1990). However, it differs from this species (De Bruijn & Van der Meulen 1975: pl. 2, fig. 10) by the structure of M 3. The M 3 in Propliomys hungaricus shows three roots, a posterior enamel islet (but see also Rabeder 1981: abb. 164, 6) and a large confluence between the T 3 and the elongated posterior loop (Kowalski 1960: 471; De Bruijn & Van der Meulen 1975; Topachevsky & Nesin 1989). The small M 3 sample from Muselievo is similar with Pliomys graecus De Bruijn & Van der Meulen, 1975 (Tourkobounia 1, Greece, lower Villanyian) in having two-rooted M 3 s and a reduced posterior loop. On the other hand, the hypsodonty as well as the height of the enamel free areas of some of the m 1 s (Ms 43, 47) distinguish the form from Muselievo from P. graecus. In these respects, the available m 1 s are similar with P. hungaricus from Csarnóta- 1. The scarce remains from Muselievo do not permit detailed comparisons, so the determination remains tentative until a more complete material will be known.	en	Popov, Vasil V. (2004): Pliocene small mammals (Mammalia, Lipotyphla, Chiroptera, Lagomorpha, Rodentia) from Muselievo (North Bulgaria). Geodiversitas 26 (3): 403-491, DOI: 10.5281/zenodo.5377199
03B287E9FFABFFC9FD38603BBB1BFDEB.taxon	materials_examined	MATERIAL EXAMINED. — 23 m 1: morphotype “ Mimomys ”: 17 m 1 (9 fragments, 8 intact [Ms 7 - 14]; morphotype “ Dolomys ”: 6 m 1 [Ms 1 - 6, 42], 19 M 3 [Ms 23 - 40]).	en	Popov, Vasil V. (2004): Pliocene small mammals (Mammalia, Lipotyphla, Chiroptera, Lagomorpha, Rodentia) from Muselievo (North Bulgaria). Geodiversitas 26 (3): 403-491, DOI: 10.5281/zenodo.5377199
03B287E9FFABFFC9FD38603BBB1BFDEB.taxon	description	MEASUREMENTS (Min-M-Max, SD, N). — Lm 1 = 2.67 - 2.91 - 3.20, 0.169, 8; am 1 = 1.00 - 1.26 - 1.37, 0.163, 7; Wm 1 = 1.07 - 1.23 - 1.65, 0.191, 8; LM 3 = 1.50 - 1.76 - 2.00, 0.127, 17. DESCRIPTION There is no crown-cementum in the side folds of the molars. In most specimens, the enamel is not differentiated, but in some teeth it is slightly thinner on the tips of the salient angles. The crown is moderately high but the dentine tracks of the linaea sinuosa are low. m 1: the variable shape of occlusal surface can be classified into two morphotypes, called “ Dolomys ” - and “ Mimomys ” - morphotypes. The “ Dolomys ” - morphotype (Fig. 33 A-G) is characterized by an open isle fold. The Sb 3 - wall is in a low position. The “ Mimomys ” - morphotype bears Mimomys - ridge, prism-fold and isle-fold or enamel islet (Fig. 33 H-O). M 3: in unworn or slightly worn specimens, the BRA 1 and LSA 3 are deep, but after some wear they become reduced by insulation. The anterior islet vanishes quickly with further wear, while the posterior one is a long persistent structure, presented even in some worn teeth (Ms 40). The clear relationship between the stage of wear and the number of islets indicates that all teeth belong to one species. Most teeth bear two roots. The anterior root is a compound structure, formed by the fusion of two roots. In some specimens the anterior fangs, although partially fused, are still clearly visible (Ms 23, 25, 26, 35, 37 - 39). One tooth shows a very small third root (Ms 23).	en	Popov, Vasil V. (2004): Pliocene small mammals (Mammalia, Lipotyphla, Chiroptera, Lagomorpha, Rodentia) from Muselievo (North Bulgaria). Geodiversitas 26 (3): 403-491, DOI: 10.5281/zenodo.5377199
03B287E9FFABFFC9FD38603BBB1BFDEB.taxon	discussion	REMARKS There is a great controversy regarding the taxonomic status of the “ Dolomys ” and “ Mimomys ” morphotypes of m 1 s referred to this species. Sulimski (1964) described them as two separate species – Dolomys cf. hungaricus and Mimomys cf. stehlini Kormos, 1931. Chaline (1974) found in the large assemblage from Sète that these types are connected by intermediate forms, depending mainly on the stage of wear (see also Van de Weerd 1979: table 9), and he therefore regarded the whole material as one highly variable species, Mimomys occitanus. It is a primitive, more or less mesodont form with a relatively high share of specimens in which the isle-fold remains open even in the advanced stages of crown wear – the so called “ Dolomys ” - morphotype. According to Chaline (1974) and Chaline & Michaux (1975) two evolutionary lineages derived from this variable species: one leading through Mimomis stehlini Kormos, 1931, M. polonicus Kowalski, 1960, M. pliocaenicus (Forsyth Major, 1889), and M. savini Hinton, 1910 to Arvicola mosbachensis (Schmidtgen, 1911), the other one through Propliomys hungaricus and Pliomys episcopalis Méhely, 1914 to P. lenki (Heller, 1930) [= P. coronensis (Méhely, 1914)]. The former phyletic sequence is referred to the “ Mimomys ” - lineage, the later one to the “ Dolomys ” - lineage. In fact, the second lineage represents the evolution of Propliomys - Pliomys Méhely, 1914 (Kretzoi 1955, 1962; De Bruijn & Van der Meulen 1975; Chaline 1975). This disagreement in the nomenclature within the second lineage reflects the similarity in teeth morphology of the earliest forms of these related genera (Dolomys and Propliomys-Pliomys) (Nehring 1898; Méhely 1914; Hinton 1926; Kormos 1934 b). On the other hand the co-occurrence of the “ ancestral ” (“ Dolomys ” - morphotype of M. occitanus) and the derived forms (typical Propliomys with relatively high enamel free areas on m 1) in Muselievo does not confirm that they belong to the same phyletic lineage. The lineage Propliomys- Pliomys apparently constitutes an early specialized branch of the evolution of voles and cannot be regarded to derive from Mimomys occitanus as though by Chaline & Michaux (1975). According to Van de Weerd (1979), M. occitanus is an intermediate stage of evolution from Promimomys Kretzoi, 1955 to the advanced forms of Mimomys Forsyth Major, 1902. During this evolution, morphological changes of m 1 with a variable direction have been proposed: from forms with an isolated islet (Promimomys and Mimomys davakosi Van de Weerd, 1979) through an open islet (most specimens in M. occitanus) to an isolated islet again (M. stehlini) (Van de Weerd 1979). This variable trend however seems unlikely, having in mind that the direction of an evolutionary change is usually irreversible. The analysis of the detailed morphology of the enamel islet in the anteroconid of the m 1 of Dolomys, Promimomys and Mimomys presented by Maul (1996) provides a new perspective for the solution of this evolutionary and taxonomic problem. Maul (1996) found that M. occitanus differs from the earliest members of the genera Promimomys and Mimomys in having a low positioned wall of the Mimomys - isle (Sb 3 - wall). This feature is considered a derived one, leading to an evolutionary trend toward lowering of the wall. With the decrease in the height of the wall more Dolomys - morphotypes appear in a population which have greater functional advantage because of their longer cutting edges. In this context, it seems likely that M. occitanus is an ancestral species to forms with a lower Sb 3 - wall like Dolomys nehringi and does not belong to the Promimomys-Mimomys evolutionary lineage comprising voles with a higher Sb 3 - wall (Maul 1996). For the time being, this hypothesis is the best solution of the problem and the attribution of the species “ occitanus ” to the genus Dolomys is followed here. According to Fejfar (2001), in contrast to the previous views (Chaline 1974; Chaline & Michaux 1975; Van de Weerd 1979), the evolutionary chain leading to M. stehlini is as follows: M. davakosi Van de Weerd, 1979 - M. gracilis (Kretzoi, 1959) - M. stehlini. According to the structure of M 3, the genus Dolomys is rather specific and comprises such large species as D. milleri Nehring, 1898 and D. nehringi Kretzoi, 1959 (Chaline 1975). The occlusal pattern of m 1 of these species (see for example Kretzoi 1962: abb. 4; Rabeder 1981: abb. 182) is quite different from the “ Dolomys ” - morphotypes of Dolomys occitanus. In this context the opinion of Maul (1996) that D. occitanus is an ancestor of D. nehringi seems unlikely. The occurrence of M 3 in the locality very similar to D. nehringi confirms this opinion. The same line of reasoning can be developed against the Chaline’s hypothesis that Dolomys - morphotypes of D. occitanus represent an ancestral form for Propliomys hungaricus. The “ Dolomys ” - morphotype is quite different from the m 1 s of the true Propliomys hungaricus from Csarnóta- 1 (Kormos 1934 b: fig. 46; Terzea 1981: fig. 5 s, d) and their co-occurrence in Muselievo (see above) indicates that this genus cannot be considered as a derivate of D. occitanus. For the time being, it can be said only that the ondatrine taxa, occurring in the European Pliocene [Dolomys occitanus (Thaler, 1955), Dolomys milleri (Nehring, 1898), Dolomys nehringi Kretzoi, 1962, Dolomys adroveri (Fejfar, Mein & Moissenet, 1990), and Propliomys hungaricus (Kormos, 1934)], represent a mosaic of species related to D. occitanus, which radiated quickly during the Ruscinian and early Villanyian (MN 14 - 16 - zones) (Fejfar & Repenning 1998). As a whole, the population from Muselievo corresponds to the variability of Dolomys occitanus from the type locality (Grotte 1 de Sète) (Chaline 1974). In the scatter diagram composed for Lm 1 and Em 1 (Chaline 1974: fig. 2) the specimens from Muselievo would occupy the upper half of the cluster of the population from Sète. Hence, the material under study represents a slightly more advanced form. The m 1 s from Muselievo resemble also D. occitanus from Ciuperceni- 2 in both size and morphology (Terzea 1981, 1997; and pers. comm.) and differ only in having somewhat higher dentine tracks. Most probably the material from the nearby Romanian locality Dranic, determined as Mimomys moldavicus (Radulescu & Samson 1996) belongs to D. occitanus too, having in mind that M. moldavicus (Kormos, 1932) is a rather primitive form with extremely low dentine tracks, referable to Promimomys (Fejfar et al. 1990). In general, the material from Muselievo is very similar to m 1 and M 3 sample of Dolomys occitanus from Wölfersheim (Germany) (Fejfar & Repenning 1998; Dahlmann 2001). The difference concerns only the somewhat longer m 1 and the hyposinusids slightly lower in the sample from Muselievo. The “ Mimomys ” morphotypes of D. occitanus are superficially similar to M. davakosi but differ in having higher dentine tracks (Van de Weerd 1979). This difference is clearly visible in relation to the material from Ptolemais 3, the type locality of M. davakosi, especially in respect to the anterosinuid. Moreover, M. davakosi, being a typical member of the Mimomys lineage, shows a higher position of the Sb 3 - wall (cf. Maul 1996: fig. 3).	en	Popov, Vasil V. (2004): Pliocene small mammals (Mammalia, Lipotyphla, Chiroptera, Lagomorpha, Rodentia) from Muselievo (North Bulgaria). Geodiversitas 26 (3): 403-491, DOI: 10.5281/zenodo.5377199
03B287E9FFD4FFC9FF22633BBDF4FACB.taxon	materials_examined	MATERIAL EXAMINED. — The vole molars, other than m 1 and M 3, indeterminable at species level, are described as if derived from a homogeneous sample. Having in mind the parallel evolution within particular vole lineages, the description of these molars may contribute in evaluating the overall evolutionary level of the vole assemblage in the locality. On the other hand, because the majority of the determinable molars belong to Dolomys occitanus, it can be supposed that the same is true for the other teeth. Hence, the descriptions presented below most probably should be referred to this species.	en	Popov, Vasil V. (2004): Pliocene small mammals (Mammalia, Lipotyphla, Chiroptera, Lagomorpha, Rodentia) from Muselievo (North Bulgaria). Geodiversitas 26 (3): 403-491, DOI: 10.5281/zenodo.5377199
03B287E9FFD4FFC9FF22633BBDF4FACB.taxon	description	DESCRIPTION All vole teeth lack crown-cementum and enamel differentiation. M 1: most teeth possess three roots. The enamel free areas at the sides of the crown are well pronounced, but they are low. The posterior dentine track is the highest. The occlusal surface consists of five, alternating and relatively well isolated dentine fields. M 2: the teeth have three roots. The occlusal surface consists of four dentine fields, anterior loop and three alternating triangles, of which the anterior two are more or less confluent with each other. The dentine tracks are low. m 2: the teeth possess two roots. The posterior one is concave in its lowermost part, indicating that it lies partly on the inner and partly on the outer side of the incisor (morphotype “ acrorhiza ”). The enamel free areas are generally low; the anterior one is the highest. The occlusal surface shows four alternating triangles, forming two pairs of largely confluent dentine fields (T 4 - T 3 and T 2 - T 1). The posterior loop is well separated. m 3: two roots and low dentine tracks. The occlusal surface consists of three dentine fields. The two anterior ones represent two pairs of opposite and widely communicating triangles (T 4 - T 3 and T 2 - T 1). The posterior root is also isolated.	en	Popov, Vasil V. (2004): Pliocene small mammals (Mammalia, Lipotyphla, Chiroptera, Lagomorpha, Rodentia) from Muselievo (North Bulgaria). Geodiversitas 26 (3): 403-491, DOI: 10.5281/zenodo.5377199
03B287E9FFD4FFC9FF07679BB81DFA4B.taxon	materials_examined	MATERIAL EXAMINED. — 1 M 3 (Ms 41); LM 3 = 2.02.	en	Popov, Vasil V. (2004): Pliocene small mammals (Mammalia, Lipotyphla, Chiroptera, Lagomorpha, Rodentia) from Muselievo (North Bulgaria). Geodiversitas 26 (3): 403-491, DOI: 10.5281/zenodo.5377199
03B287E9FFD4FFC9FF07679BB81DFA4B.taxon	description	DESCRIPTION M 3 bears three salient angles on each side. Except BSA 3, all are well developed. The BRA 1 and LRA 3 are deep and narrow. They persist as normal folds throughout the crown instead of being subject to reduction by insulation. The enamel is not differentiated. There are not dentine tracks. Number of roots is two.	en	Popov, Vasil V. (2004): Pliocene small mammals (Mammalia, Lipotyphla, Chiroptera, Lagomorpha, Rodentia) from Muselievo (North Bulgaria). Geodiversitas 26 (3): 403-491, DOI: 10.5281/zenodo.5377199
03B287E9FFD4FFC9FF07679BB81DFA4B.taxon	discussion	REMARKS According to size, the tooth is smaller than the respective molars of the type species of the genus, Dolomys milleri (Nehring, 1898) (Méhely 1914). On the other hand, it resembles Dolomys nehringi from Csarnóta- 2 both in general size (although slightly smaller) and occlusal pattern, judging from the Kretzoi’s (1959: abb. 4) illustration. The molars of this species were however not described in detail by this author. This circumstance, as well as the scarce material from Muselievo (e. g., only one M 3), makes the conclusive determination difficult.	en	Popov, Vasil V. (2004): Pliocene small mammals (Mammalia, Lipotyphla, Chiroptera, Lagomorpha, Rodentia) from Muselievo (North Bulgaria). Geodiversitas 26 (3): 403-491, DOI: 10.5281/zenodo.5377199
03B287E9FFD4FFCFFD73631BBDE3FBEB.taxon	description	1978: 31.	en	Popov, Vasil V. (2004): Pliocene small mammals (Mammalia, Lipotyphla, Chiroptera, Lagomorpha, Rodentia) from Muselievo (North Bulgaria). Geodiversitas 26 (3): 403-491, DOI: 10.5281/zenodo.5377199
03B287E9FFD4FFCFFD73631BBDE3FBEB.taxon	materials_examined	MATERIAL EXAMINED. — 1 m 1 (Ms 52 - 1); (L × W) = 1.62 × 1.05.	en	Popov, Vasil V. (2004): Pliocene small mammals (Mammalia, Lipotyphla, Chiroptera, Lagomorpha, Rodentia) from Muselievo (North Bulgaria). Geodiversitas 26 (3): 403-491, DOI: 10.5281/zenodo.5377199
03B287E9FFD4FFCFFD73631BBDE3FBEB.taxon	description	DESCRIPTION The tooth is two-rooted. The occlusal surface is simple, consisting of a posterior loop, three alternating triangles and an anterior cap, situated obliquely to the sagital axis. The dentine field of the anterior cap is widely connected with the triangle behind it. The enamel is thick and uneven. There are no dentine tracks.	en	Popov, Vasil V. (2004): Pliocene small mammals (Mammalia, Lipotyphla, Chiroptera, Lagomorpha, Rodentia) from Muselievo (North Bulgaria). Geodiversitas 26 (3): 403-491, DOI: 10.5281/zenodo.5377199
03B287E9FFD4FFCFFD73631BBDE3FBEB.taxon	discussion	REMARKS The available molar is slightly shorter than the original material from Terrats (Roussillon, France), described as Trilophomys canterranensis. It differs from Trilophomys depereti Fejfar, 1961, from Muselievo (see below) by having alternating triangles and by lacking dentine tracks. These features are characteristic for the genus Bjornkurtenia Kowalski, 1992, comprising the materials from Terrats and Podlesice (MN 14, Poland), previously referred to Trilophomys Depéret, 1892. The species is also known from Gundesheim- 4, MN 15 b (Germany) (Fejfar & Storch 1990). According to Kowalski (1992), Bjornkurtenia is one of the most primitive voles in the family Arvicolidae. The available tooth is similar to the imperfect m 1 from Osztramos 9, described as Promimomys microdon Janossy, 1974, but it has a narrow dentine isthmus between the third triangle and the anterior cap. In this respect, it is very similar to Baranomys longidens (Kowalski, 1960). However, because the Hungarian specimen is damaged in its anterior part, for the time being, it is impossible to ascertain whether this difference has systematic value or not. Since the structure of the mandible is not known, the systematic position of the genus and species within the family Arvicolidae cannot be adjusted (Kowalski 1992). Family TRILOPHOMYIDAE Kretzoi, 1969	en	Popov, Vasil V. (2004): Pliocene small mammals (Mammalia, Lipotyphla, Chiroptera, Lagomorpha, Rodentia) from Muselievo (North Bulgaria). Geodiversitas 26 (3): 403-491, DOI: 10.5281/zenodo.5377199
03B287E9FFD2FFCDFD39619BBADCF908.taxon	materials_examined	MATERIAL EXAMINED. — 1 m 1 (Ms 52), 2 m 2 (Ms 53 - 54), 1 m 3 (Ms 55), 1 M 1 (Ms 56), 2 M 2 (Ms 57, Ms 58), 1 M 3 (Ms 140).	en	Popov, Vasil V. (2004): Pliocene small mammals (Mammalia, Lipotyphla, Chiroptera, Lagomorpha, Rodentia) from Muselievo (North Bulgaria). Geodiversitas 26 (3): 403-491, DOI: 10.5281/zenodo.5377199
03B287E9FFD2FFCDFD39619BBADCF908.taxon	description	MEASUREMENTS (maximal length at the base of the crown). — Lm 1 = 2.05; 1.85; Lm 2 = 1.65; 1.67; Lm 3 = 1.10; LM 1 = 1.85; LM 2 = 1.55; LM 3 = 1.47. DESCRIPTION m 1: the tooth is two-rooted, the crown is high, and the enamel free areas are moderately high. The occlusal surface comprises a posterior loop, two opposite triangles and a rhomboidal anterior cap. There is a well pronounced but shallow antero-lingual reentrant fold. The enamel is not differentiated. m 2: two roots. The dentine tracks at the sides of the crown, although not very high are well pronounced. The occlusal surface consists of three more or less rhomboidal dentine fields, well separated one from the other by deep opposite reentrant angles. The triangles are clearly asymmetrical – the lingual ones are larger than the labial ones. m 3: this tooth has two roots, which are nearly coalescent. The anterior dentine track is high. There is a shallow and ephemeral anterolabial infold, which would vanish quickly with further wear. The lingual reentrant fold is well pronounced transversely, while the postero-labial one is shallow. These folds separate the occlusal surface in two rhomboidal dentinal spaces, which are more or less isolated from each other. M 1: the tooth is with three roots, of which the anterior is larger. The posterior dentine track is rather high, reaching the occlusal surface even in a relatively early stage of wear. The irregular triangles, situated behind the anterior dentine field are distinctly alternating. The posterior two triangles are in relatively wide confluence while the remaining ones are more or less well separated. M 2: the tooth possesses three roots. The anterolingual is the larger one and consists of two completely fused though clearly recognizable elements, which in turn tend to fuse with the anterolabial root. The posterior dentine track is high. The triangles are alternate and more or less confluent. M 3: the occlusal surface is simple, consisting of two largely confluenting dentine fields, separated by two, lingual and labial, shallow reentrant angles.	en	Popov, Vasil V. (2004): Pliocene small mammals (Mammalia, Lipotyphla, Chiroptera, Lagomorpha, Rodentia) from Muselievo (North Bulgaria). Geodiversitas 26 (3): 403-491, DOI: 10.5281/zenodo.5377199
03B287E9FFD2FFCDFD39619BBADCF908.taxon	discussion	REMARKS The genus Trilophomys introduced by Depéret in 1892 from Perpignan (France) is later found in many other early Pliocene MN 14 - 15 localities in Europe (Fejfar & Repenning 1998). Up to now the following species have been described: Trilophomys pyrenaicus (Depéret, 1892), T. depereti Fejfar, 1961, T. schaubi Fejfar, 1961, and T. vandeweedi Brandy, 1979. Sulimski (1964) synonymizes T. schaubi, T. depereti, and T. pyrenaicus, and refers the material from Weze 1 to the last species. The synonymy of T. schaubi and T. pyrenaicus is also confirmed by Brandy (1979). In his analysis, based mainly on the degree of hypsodonty, he recognized two evolutionary lineages of Trilophomys. The first lineage represents the evolution from T. pyrenaicus to T. vandeweerdi. The last species is the most advanced form, particularly the populations from Layna, Balaruc II and IV, Seynes (France), and Wölfersheim (Germany) (Fejfar & Repenning 1998). The second lineage, with relatively high dentine tracks, is poorly known and includes some chronopopulations (Ivanovce, Weze) of T. depereti. Brandy (1979) regards the dental pattern of the specimen from Weze 1, illustrated on figure 14 in Sulimski (1964: 192) to be different from T. pyrenaicus and belonging to the second evolutionary lineage. It is more evolved (more hypsodont with higher enamel-free areas) in comparison with the material of T. depereti from Ivanovce. Brandy (1979) designates the population from Weze 1 as Trilophomys cf. depereti (see also Nadachowski 1990). The available m 1 from Muselievo is more primitive than the tooth from Weze 1 (Sulimski 1964: fig. 14) in its lower dentine tracks. It fits with the material of T. depereti from Ivanovce in having a comparable level of hypsodonty. It can be assumed that the geological age of the remains from Muselievo is closer to that of Ivanovce. However, the m 1 from Muselievo has more elaborated anterior part (the presence of a shallow antero-lingual reentrant angle), being more similar with the type specimen of T. schaubi from Ivanovce and with the specimen from Weze 1, illustrated by Sulimski (1964) on figure 14 a. However, Sulimski (1964), by a series of sections, showed that the pattern of the occlusal surface varies with the attrition of the crown, argumenting in this way the synonymy of T. shaubi with T. depereti. Hence, the determination of the material from Muselievo is based mainly on the level of hypsodonty. In accordance with the evolutionary scheme proposed by Brandy (1979), I assign the material from Muselievo to T. depereti.	en	Popov, Vasil V. (2004): Pliocene small mammals (Mammalia, Lipotyphla, Chiroptera, Lagomorpha, Rodentia) from Muselievo (North Bulgaria). Geodiversitas 26 (3): 403-491, DOI: 10.5281/zenodo.5377199
03B287E9FFDFFFC0FF5D645BBB57FA6B.taxon	materials_examined	MATERIAL EXAMINED. — 2 M 1 (Ms 114, 115), 2 M 2 (Ms 116, 117), 1 M 3 (Ms 118), 2 m 1 (Ms 120, 121), 1 m 3 (Ms 119).	en	Popov, Vasil V. (2004): Pliocene small mammals (Mammalia, Lipotyphla, Chiroptera, Lagomorpha, Rodentia) from Muselievo (North Bulgaria). Geodiversitas 26 (3): 403-491, DOI: 10.5281/zenodo.5377199
03B287E9FFDFFFC0FF5D645BBB57FA6B.taxon	description	MEASUREMENTS (L × W). — M 1 = 2.37 × 2.05; 2.37 × 2.05; M 2 = 2.00 × 2.00; 1.87 × 2.00; M 3 = 1.60 × 1.57; m 1 = 2.02 × 1.57; 2.00 × 1.70; m 3 = 1.75 × 1.87. DESCRIPTION M 1: both teeth available possess a mesocone (mesoloph) and a more or less well developed posterior cingulum. The postero-labial reen- t r a n t f o l d i s a n e p h e m e r a l f e a t u r e, w h i c h becomes rapidly narrower and shallower as it descends, until it is represented be a mere groove, which may or may not persist in the worn tooth. In the slightly worn specimen, both the paracone and the metacone are still separated from the mesocone and the hypocone, respectively. The anterior loop is oblique in relation to the mesial axis of the occlusal surface. The teeth are three-rooted. M 2: in the younger stage of wear, the anterolingual and postero-lingual valleys are closed labially. In the other, adult, tooth the posterior islet had already vanished. The tooth possesses three roots. M 3: the tooth belongs to a young specimen with the pulp-cavities still open below. The occlusal surface is e-shaped, due to a nearly crescent shaped reentrant fold. m 1: the teeth available belong to individuals of advanced ontogenetic age, as they are considerably worn. The occlusal surface is simple, elongated antero-posteriorly, S-shaped with two reentrant folds (one lingual and one labial), and an enamel island which corresponds to the postero-lingual reentrant fold, separating the entoconid from the posterior cingulum. The lingual sinus is obliquely directed forward, while the posterior one is more or less transversal in relation to the sagital axis of the occlusal surface. Two roots. m 3: the occlusal surface is nearly S-shaped but at this stage of attrition the posterior loop is shut off from the anterior part.	en	Popov, Vasil V. (2004): Pliocene small mammals (Mammalia, Lipotyphla, Chiroptera, Lagomorpha, Rodentia) from Muselievo (North Bulgaria). Geodiversitas 26 (3): 403-491, DOI: 10.5281/zenodo.5377199
03B287E9FFDFFFC0FF5D645BBB57FA6B.taxon	discussion	REMARKS The determination of isolated molars of spalacids is difficult because the occlusal pattern is relatively simple and uniform within the genera but varies considerably with crown wear (De Bruijn & Van der Meulen 1975; Sen 1977). As a result, similar morphotypes may occur in the related species. According to the structure of the occlusal surface, the available M 1 s show some similarities with the most primitive species within the genus, Pliospalax compositidontus: small size, occurrence of a mesocone, a well pronounced posterior cingulum and a postero-lingual reentrant fold, three roots. These peculiarities differentiate the specimens from the latter species, Pliospalax macoveii (Simionescu, 1930) and P. odessanus (Topacevsky, 1969) (Topachevsky 1969). In particular, P. macoveii and P. odessanus have more simplified occlusal surface of upper molars, a reduced number of roots, and larger size, which, according to Topachevsky (1969), is a result of an evolutionary trend whitin this evolutionary branch. On the other hand, a latter form from the early Pleistocene of Greece (Tourkobounia- 1, Athens), described as Pliospalax tourkobounensis De Bruijn & Van der Meulen, 1975, does not fit within this trend. According to De Bruijn & Van der Meulen (1975) “ the stratigraphically youngest of these three species [P. macovei, P. sotirisi], P. tourkobounensis, is morphologically more archaic having relatively low-crowned cheek teeth and a mesoloph and posterior cingulum in M 1 ”. It is remarkable that some of the first upper molars from Çalta (Sen 1977: pl. XIII: 1, 3 a), initially attributed to Pliospalax compositidontus, are also very similar to these of P. tourkobounensis and to the M 1 s from Muselievo in having a mesocone and a postero labial reentrant forld. According to Sen (1998), these molars should also be referred to Pliospalax macoveii. It should be mentioned that these three forms (Tourkoubonia 1, Çalta, and Muselievo) have relatively small molars, similar to these of Pliospalax compositidontus, but considerably smaller than the molars of Pliospalax macoveii and P. odessanus (Topachevsky 1969). In contrast to the upper molars, the first lower molars from Tourkobounia 1 (P. tourkobounensis), Çalta (P. macoveii), and especially these from Muselievo have a simplified occlusal pattern, quite different from the respective teeth of Pliospalax compositidontus, as figured in Topachevsky (1969: 18, fig. 6). In this respect they are similar to the first lower molars of Pliospalax macoveii and P. odessanus (Topachevsky 1969; De Bruijn 1984), but, as in the case of the upper molars, they are smaller. As concern the first lower molars from Muselievo, it must be emphasized that they are rather worn, which prevents more detailed comparisons. The mole rate from Maritsa (isle of Rhodes), initially described as Spalax sotirisi De Bruijn, Dawson & Mein, 1970, is considered by the latter authors (De Bruijn & Van der Meulen 1975; Sen 1977) to belong to Pliospalax macoveii. This form shows a simplified occlusal pattern of M 1. The material from Muselievo, the above comparisons and discussion match the opinion of De Bruijn & Van der Meulen (1975) that “ the relationship among the Pliospalax species may be rather complex ” and, no doubt, the available materials from the southern part of Russian plain, Balkan Peninsula, and Asia Minor need a comprehensive revision. For the time being I refer tentatively the material from Muselievo to P. macoveii on the basis of its overall similarity to the sample from Çalta. Family HYSTRICIDAE Fischer, 1817	en	Popov, Vasil V. (2004): Pliocene small mammals (Mammalia, Lipotyphla, Chiroptera, Lagomorpha, Rodentia) from Muselievo (North Bulgaria). Geodiversitas 26 (3): 403-491, DOI: 10.5281/zenodo.5377199
