Himalayan Geology, Vol. 41 (2), 2020, pp. 171-182, Printed in India

New Raoellidae (Artiodactyla) from the Subathu Group (Middle Eocene), Rajouri District, Jammu and Kashmir, India and their significance

MOHD WAQAS, RAJENDRA SINGH RANA*

Department of Geology, HNB Garhwal University, Srinagar Garhwal, 246174 Uttarakhand, India

*Email (Corresponding author): rajendra.rana1@gmail.com

Abstract:  Two species of raoellid artiodactyls Metkatius babbiangalensis sp. nov. and Khirtharia cf. dayi are reported on the basis of upper and lower molars recovered from the red-maroon-grey shale bed of Subathu Group, Rajouri District of Jammu and Kashmir.  M. babbiangalensis sp. nov. is characterised by metaconid placed slightly higher than protoconid and hypoconulid being the smallest cusp in the talonid basin. The prehypocristid (cristid obliqua) is directed towards postectoprotocristid at the protoconid base and the anterior cingulum is well developed. The upper molars are squarish, paraconule feebly developed, endometacristule and postmetacristule faintly developed and endometacristule and endometacrista form transverse crest but the premetacristule is absent. Khirtharia cf. dayi is characterised by reduced hypoconulid lobe in m3; low bulbous bunodont cusps; smooth enamel surface, moderate size, wider trigonid basin, distinct cristid and cristids outline as squarish as in Khirtharia dayi. The upper molars are faintly developed; reduced metacone in M3, which is even smaller than metaconule; distally open trigon basin lacking lingual cingulum. The presence of a new species from Subathu throws light on palaeobiogeographic implications during the collision of the Indian and Asian plates.

Keywords: Mammalia, Artiodactyla, Raoellidae, middle Eocene; Subathu Group; India.