A new middle Eocene bunodont artiodactyl from the Erlian Basin (Nei Mongol, China)

A new genus and species of middle size bunodont artiodactyl (Mammalia), <i>Erlianhyus primitivus</i>, is established based on a partial maxilla with P3–M3 from the lower middle Eocene Irdin Manha Formation, Erlian Basin, Nei Mongol, China. <i>Erlianhyus</i> is characterised by a low tooth crown, bunodont cusps, a protocone smaller and lower than the paracone on P4, a large metaconule, reduced paraconule, no hypocone and styles on M1–3, and weak crista between the main cones on the upper cheek teeth. <i>Erlianhyus</i> is more similar in dental morphology to the Asian <i>Myanmarius, Myaingtherium</i> and <i>Siamotherium</i> rather than to other artiodactyls. Our cladistics analysis shows that <i>Erlianhyus</i> is positioned outside of the anthracotheriid-suoid-dichobunoid clade and is located more basally within the Artiodactyla, so now it is not referred to any known family or superfamily in artiodactyls.