Systematic revision of Mio-Pliocene Ctenodactylidae (Mammalia, Rodentia) from the Indian subcontinent

Ctenodactylids are common elements of Early-Middle Miocene mammal faunas of the Indian subcontinent, West Asia, and North Africa. They are of great interest for biostratigraphical correlations and palaeogeographical relationships between these areas. The study of new ctenodactylid remains from Early-Middle Miocene localities of Saudi Arabia, Turkey, and Chios Island has revealed that the systematics of the Early-Middle Miocene ctenodactylids from the Indian subcontinent are problematic. Seven species belonging to two genera have been recognized so far in the Indo-Pakistani Mio-Pliocene: Prosayimys flynni BASKIN 1996. Sayimys minor DE BRUIJN et al. 1981, Sayimys intermedius (SEN & THOMAS 1979), Sayimys sivalensis (HINTON 1933), Sayimys chinjiensis BASKIN 1996, Sayimys perplexus WOOD 1937, and Sayimys badauni VASISHAT 1985. We consider that, at best, only five ctenodactylid species are recognizable in the Mio-Pliocene of the Indian subcontinent: Prosayimys flynni BASKIN 1996. Sayimys baskini nov. sp., Sayimys intermedius (SEN & THOMAS 1979). Sayimys sivalensis (HINTON 1933), and perhaps Sayimys badauni VASISHAT 1985.