Reappraisal of the late Miocene elasmotheriine <i>Parelasmotherium schansiense</i> from Kutschwan (Shanxi Province, China) and its phylogenetic relationships

Elasmotheres, such as the huge Siberian unicorn (<i>Elasmotherium sibiricum</i>), are amongst the most iconic large mammals ever to roam Eurasia. Several different elasmotheriine taxa are also known from the upper Miocene of Asia, including the large genus <i>Parelasmotherium</i>. Herein we present the re-examination of the holotype of its type species <i>Parelasmotherium schansiense</i>, using high resolution X-ray computed tomography. The µCT analysis reveals thus far unknown morphological features of the M1 and the unerupted P4 and M2, thereby adding to our knowledge about this species. This allows comparisons with other species that have been referred to <i>Parelasmotherium</i>, ‘<i>Parelasmotherium</i>’ <i>simplum</i> and ‘<i>Parelasmotherium</i>’ <i>linxiaense</i>, which, according to the results of the phylogenetic analysis, should not be included in the same genus as <i>P. schansiense</i>. Furthermore, based on comparisons to other Miocene elasmotheriines the diagnosis of <i>Parelasmotherium schansiense</i> was amended and its phylogenetic position was assessed. <i>Parelasmotherium schansiense</i> is placed in a monophyletic group of ‘derived elasmotheriines,’ which also includes the genera <i>Elasmotherium</i>, <i>Sinotherium</i>, and <i>Ninxiatherium</i>.