Corumictis, 2020

GENUS CORUMICTIS PATERSON , GEN. NOV.

zoobank.org:act: 099E3F36-EAD9-4C9D-B547- 1176692E7C97

Type species: Corumictis wolsani Paterson et al. Diagnosis: Mustelid of small size with paired temporal crests. P4 large with anteriorly placed, conical protocone. M1 possesses a large parastylar shelf and lacks a postprotocrista. Suprameatal fossa is deep with medial arm nearly reaching level of lateral arm. Alisphenoid canal is absent. Postlateral sulcus on brain is absent. Lateral basioccipital embayment is present. Prominent nasofrontal swellings are present. The dentary is shallow and narrow. An m1 with open trigonid, reduced and posteriorly displaced metaconid, elongated paraconid and blade-like hypoconid.

Differential diagnosis: Differs from Plesictis in being smaller in size, the presence of prominent nasofrontal swellings, deep suprameatal fossa, more gracile dentary, shortened/narrow talonid on m1, smaller m1 entoconid.

Differs from Mustelictis in being smaller in size, bearing temporal crests that do not meet, the presence of prominent nasofrontal swellings, alisphenoid canal absent, deep suprameatal fossa, P4 lacking internal shelf, M2 single-rooted, and less prominent m1 entoconid.

Differs from Pseudobassaris in being smaller in size, the presence of prominent nasofrontal swellings, alisphenoid canal absent, P4 protocone anterior to paracone, M1 parastyle projects labially (not anterolabially) and M2 single-rooted.

Differs from Promartes in being smaller size, temporal crests do not meet, prominent nasofrontal swellings present, less prominent supraorbital processes, deep suprameatal fossa, reduced mastoid processes, M1 broader anteroposteriorly.

Differs from Zodiolestes in: smaller size, temporal crests do not meet, prominent nasofrontal swellings present, less prominent supraorbital processes, lack of tubular external auditory meatus, reduced mastoid processes, unreduced M1 parastyle, M2 single-rooted.

Included species: Corumictis julieni ( Viret, 1929) , comb. nov. (Basionym: Plesictis julieni Viret, 1929 ; Corumictis wolsani , sp. nov. (described below).

Distribution: Early and Late Oligocene (Early and Late Arikareean, Ar1–Ar3) of Oregon, USA; Early Miocene ( MN 2a) of France.

Etymology: From the Latin ad Corum, north-west, referring to the dispersal of mustelids to and from the north-western portion of North America, and the Greek ικτις, ictis, a weasel-like carnivorous animal.