The Rhinocerotidae fossil record in the Iberian Peninsula

ABSTRACT

The family Rhinocerotidae, also referred to as ‘true rhinoceroses’, is one of the multiple perissodactyl lineages that have independently evolved large body sizes, lophodonty (fully developed crests between dental cusps), a simplified anterior dentition, and the molarization of the premolars. During the last decades, descriptions of novel fossil collections, the update of previously published ones, and taxonomic reviews through cladistic analyses have brought to bear a new, comprehensive perspective on the group, significantly increasing its recorded deep-time diversity. This paper reviews the historical development of the study of Rhinocerotidae in the Iberian Peninsula, provides an up-to-date compendium of the regional rhinoceros fossil record by gathering the available references, and presents an updated taxonomic framework. As a result, 27 out of the more than 200 rhinoceros species described in the literature worldwide inhabited the Iberian Peninsula, regionally ranging from the Oligocene to the Late Pleistocene. Their systematics, stratigraphic, and geographical ranges are detailed in the present article and the occurrences and geographical ranges illustrated.

KEYWORDS:

• Rhinocerotidae
• Perissodactyla
• Portugal
• Spain
• Oligocene
• Miocene
• Pliocene
• Pleistocene

Acknowledgments

We are indebted to S. Fraile and P. Pérez Dios (Museo Nacional de Ciencias Naturales), Marta March (Institut Català de Paleontologia), E. Baeza (Museo Geominero), A. García Forner (Museo de Geología de la Universitat de València), A. Ferrer Welsch (Museu Arqueològic Comarcal de Banyoles), and E. Espílez (Fundación Conjunto Paleontológico Teruel-Dinópolis), for permission to study fossils in their care. This paper is dedicated to our mentor, colleague, and friend, Jorge Morales. Jorge offered one of us (OS) the opportunity to study Iberian rhinoceroses under his guidance. His dedication, advice, and above all his overwhelming knowledge have inspired us since our first steps in this discipline.

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the author(s).

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Additional information

Funding

This work was supported by the Talent Attraction Program of the Madrid Government and the Universidad de Alcalá [2017-T1/AMB5298].