Matskási István (szerk.): A Magyar Természettudományi Múzeum évkönyve 85. (Budapest 1993)

Gasparik, M.: Deinotheres (Proboscidea, Mammalia) of Hungary

Deinotherium gigantissimum STEFANESCU, 1892 (Figs 14,16) Dinotherium gigantissimum STEFANESCU, 1892: 81-82, fig. 24. Dinotherium gigantissimum STEFANESCU: STEFANESCU 1896:127. Deinotherium gigantissimum STEFANESCU: OSBORN 1936: 95-98, fig. 61. Dinotherium gigantissimum STEFANESCU: GRAF 1957:17,160-162. Deinotherium giganteum KAUP: BERGOUNIOUX & CROUZEL 1962: 39-40,52. Deinotherium proavum EICHWALD: KRETZOI 1965:133. P3 - The third premolar differs considerably from D. giganteum in its measurements, but bears nearly the same crown-elements. The entoconid is more elongated, extends posteriorly to the rear of the hypoconid, hence the hypoconid is not connected with the entoconid. A small serrated spur or a small accessory cusp can be seen on the external wall of the hypoconid. This cusp may be the hypostylid or the remnant of the labial cingulum, which was mentioned at the P3 of D. giganteum. Both the anterior and the posterior cingulum are very weak. (Fig. 16). P4, Mi, M2, M

3 - These teeth differ from those of Prodeinotherium only in their measurements. P

3 - It is a roundish tooth, it differs markedly from the P

3 of Prodeinotherium both morphologically and in its measurements. Apart from the ectoloph, another longitudinal crest (entoloph) was formed by the junction of the protocone and hypocone. The protocone is joined to the ectoloph, producing a low transversal protoloph. In the same way, but in a less developed manner the hypoconid is connected to the ectoloph, forming a rudimentary metaloph. The anterior and posterior cingulum are well developed. The well visible mesostyle is placed to the lingual wall of the entoloph because of the junction of the two internal cusps, hence it looks like a lingual cingulum. The hypocone bears a small accessory cusp on its inner face. (Fig. 14). P

4 - There are no considerable differences from D. giganteum. M , M

2

, M

3 - Considering their crown-elements, these teeth do not differ from Prodeinotherium. CONCLUSIONS The crown-structure of the deinotheres is rather uniform. One can see some differences only in the case of premolars, mainly of the anterior ones (P3, P ). A characteristic feature of deinotheres' evolution is the continuous growth, hence there are transitions or overlaps between the size categories of the species. The determination of such remains - in the case of single teeth - is rather uncertain. However, the following three aspects must be taken into account i.e. the measurements, the crown-morphology and the stratigraphical position, for the adequate determination of the finds. The characteristics of Prodeinotherium hungaricum are the small size, the relative isolation of the cones on the anterior premolars (bunodont crown-character) and the Early Miocene age. For Prodeinotherium bavaricum the characteristics are the very similar crownmorphology, the larger size and the Middle-Late Miocene age. Deinotherium giganteum can be characterized with large size, the merging of the cones on the anterior premolars into crests (lophodont crown-character) and the Late Miocene-earliest Pliocene age. The characteristics of Deinotherium gigantissimum are the largest size, the more advanced state of the crests on the premolars and the Early Pliocene (Pontian) age (Fig. 18).