NEW EARLY MIOCENE SHREWS (SORICIDAE, MAMMALIA) FROM KAZAKHSTAN

Abstract

Two new Early Miocene shrews, Aralosorex kalini gen. et sp. nov. (Altynshokysu, western Kazakhstan) and Miocrocidosorex zazhigini gen. et sp. nov. (Ayaguz, eastern Kazakhstan) of the subfamily Crocidosoricinae are described. In Aralosorex, the structure of M1 and M 2 is typical of Carposorex, i.e., the posterolabial crest of the protoconid is connected to the ectocingulid; however, this genus is distinguished by the smooth enamel and the structure of P 4, which has long arms of the posterocristid. Miocrocidosorex has two lower antemolars and lacks ectocingulids on M 1 and M2; the latter character displays its similarity to Crocidosorex. It is proposed to divide the Crocidosoricinae into two tribes, Crocidosoricini Reumer, 1987 (Crocidosorex and, presumably, Miocrocidosorex) and Oligosoricini Gureev, 1971 (all other genera, including Aralosorex ).