Distribution of vertebrate fossils in the Wasatch Formation

Eocene vertebrates are well known from Fossil Basin. Most of these fossils come from the Green River Formation (Grande, Reference Grande1984, Reference Grande2001, Reference Grande2013); however, fossil vertebrates are also known from the Wasatch and Fowkes formations (Gazin, Reference Gazin1952, Reference Gazin1961, Reference Gazin1962; Nelson, Reference Nelson1973).

Within the Wasatch Formation at FBNM, vertebrate fossils are known only from the lower member, main body, and Bullpen Member. A single tooth of the condylarth Meniscotherium cf. M. robustum was collected from the lower member near the northwestern margin of the Monument. Fish bones and scales (Asineops and Lepisosteus), common in the Green River Formation, also occur in the lower and Bullpen members.

Fossil vertebrates are considerably more common in the main body of the Wasatch Formation in and around FBNM. Small faunal assemblages have been described from Knight Station (near Evanston), Elk Mountain (~20 km south of FBNM) and from the Monument itself (Hayden, Reference Hayden1869; Cope, Reference Cope1872, Reference Cope1873; Gazin, Reference Gazin1952, Reference Gazin1961, Reference Gazin1962). Recent fieldwork at FBNM has resulted in a diverse collection of mammal fossils from 29 localities in the 180 m of the main body of the Wasatch Formation (Fig. 1, Table 1).

Table 1

Wasatch Formation mammalian faunal list – Fossil Butte National Monument.

Nomenclature abbreviations

Wa = Wasatchian biochronologic zone; FB = Fossil Butte field number (for specimen references); FB = University of Michigan Fossil Butte field locality (for locality references). Lower teeth are indicated by a lowercase letter and tooth position number (e.g., m1 = lower first molar), upper teeth by an uppercase letter and tooth position number (e.g., P3 = upper third premolar). All measurements are provided in millimeters.

Class Mammalia Linnaeus, Reference Linnaeus1758

Order Didelphimorphia Gill, Reference Gill1872

Family Didelphidae Gray, Reference Gray1821

Tribe Didelphini Crochet, Reference Crochet1979

Genus Copedelphys Korth, Reference Korth1994a

Type species

Peratherium titanelix Matthew, Reference Matthew1903, Renova Formation, Montana.

Copedelphys innominata (Simpson, Reference Simpson1928)

Figure 3.1–3.2

Figure 3

Images 3 and 7 are SEM photographs; others are standard photographs. (1–2) FOBU 6338, Copedelphys innominatum, left dentary p3-m2 in occlusal (top) and lateral (bottom) views. (3–4) YPM-PU 16171, Eoictops novaceki n. gen. n. sp. (Holotype), left dentary with p5 (erupting), m1-2, and broken m3 in occlusal (top, m3 not shown in this view) and lateral (bottom) views. (5–6) FOBU 6094, Palaeoryctid sp. indet., left broken m1 in occlusal (top) and buccal (bottom) views. (7) FOBU 6189, Apatemys cf. A. whitakeri, right I1 in lateral view. Scale bars=2mm, except for images 5 and 6 where scale bars=1mm.

1928 Peratherium innominatum Reference SimpsonSimpson, p. 6, fig. 5

Holotype

AMNH 11493, left dentary m1-4, Bridgerian biochron Br2, Bridger Formation, Millersville, Uinta County, Wyoming.

Occurrence

Locality FB-19, late middle early Eocene, Wasatchian biochronologic zone Wa-6, main body, Wasatch Formation, Fossil Basin, Lincoln County, Wyoming.

Remarks

The referred specimen is in the size range of both Copedelphys innominatum and Peradectes chesteri. It differs from Peradectes in having a distinct lower molar entoconid and well-developed entoconid notch with a low hypoconulid. It also has p3 smaller than m1 and m1 with a widely open trigonid lingually. This combination of characters differentiates FOBU 6338 from both Peradectes and Herpetotherium (Korth, Reference Korth2008).

Rothecker and Storer (Reference Rothecker and Storer1996) moved the species Peratherium innominatum, from Peratherium to Copedelphys based mostly on its very small size, upper molars with tiny conules and similar sized stylar cusps, and open lower molar trigonids, especially on m1. The specimen referred here is even smaller than those from Lac Pelletier described by Rothecker and Storer (Reference Rothecker and Storer1996), but the lower molars do have open trigonids lingually. This specimen could conceivably represent a new species of Copedelphys, but given the lack of any known upper molars at present a new name seems premature. Nonetheless this record represents one of the earlier known occurrences of this tiny marsupial outside of the seemingly anomalous earliest Wasatchian record at Castle Gardens in the Bighorn Basin (see Strait, Reference Strait2001).

Measurements

FOBU 6338: p3 = 1.29 x 0.72, m1 = 1.36 x 0.79; m2 = 1.40 x 0.89

Order Leptictida McKenna, Reference McKenna1975

Family Leptictidae Gill, Reference Gill1872

Genus Eoictops new genus

Type species

Eoictops novaceki new species by monotypy.

Diagnosis

As for type species by monotypy.

Etymology

Eos, Greek for early or dawn and Ictops (= Leptictis), a common North American Oligocene leptictid genus, in reference to the earlier occurrence of a related species (and in keeping with Palaeictops, another related taxon, as proposed by Matthew, Reference Matthew1899).

Remarks

Recognition of true Diacodon as an erinaceomorph (Novacek, Reference Novacek1982; Novacek et al., Reference Novacek, Bown and Schankler1985) necessitates a new generic name for Fossil Butte a specimen once assigned to Diacodon since it is clear (see below) that this specimen is a leptictid that differs from all previously known North American members of this order.

Eoictops novaceki new species

Figure 3.3–3.4

1952 Diacodon, cf. alticuspis; Reference GazinGazin, p. 20

1962 Diacodon, cf. alticuspis; Reference GazinGazin, p. 22

Holotype

Type and only specimen, YPM-PU 16171, left dentary with p5 (erupting), m1-2, and broken m3, found “Three miles northwest of Fossil, Wyoming, Wasatch Formation, about 100 feet below the Green River Formation” Gazin, Reference Gazin1952, p. 20 (approximately equivalent to UM Localities FB-7, FB-8, FB-13, FB-19, and FB-24).

Diagnosis

Differs from all other North American leptictids in having p5 the same length as m1 (other leptictids have p5 longer to much longer than m1), p5 with more trenchant talonid exhibiting a very reduced, anteriorly shifted and low entoconid connected via a postentocristid to a small hypoconulid that is appressed to the posterolingual aspect of the hypoconid, and m3 relatively smaller than other lower molars; further differs from Palaeictops by having relatively higher and anteriorly angled molar trigonids and relatively shorter molar talonids.

Occurrence

Late middle early Eocene, Wasatchian biochronologic zone Wa-6, main body, Wasatch Formation, Fossil Basin, Lincoln County, Wyoming.

Description

p5 is in its crypt, but the crown is fully formed. It had a prominent protoconid, the tip of which is now broken away. The p5 paraconid is robust, isolated from the anterior flank of the protoconid, centered on the tooth and positioned very low, forming the anterior base of the tooth. The metaconid appears as if it is somewhat smaller relative to the protoconid, but was probably nearly as tall and distinct. The protoconid and metaconid are positioned directly opposite each other and together form a high and prominent loph. The p5 talonid is trenchant and is dominated by a distinct and robust hypoconid that is placed just labial of center. A much lower and smaller entoconid is present as is a small hypoconulid. A weakly formed postcristid extends from the hypoconid to the hypoconulid and then continues as a curving postentocristid to reach the entoconid. The prehypocristid is steep and does not reach the postvallid, leaving the talonid open labially. Similarly, the preentocrisitd is absent, leaving the talonid open lingually through the entoconid notch. The talonid is shallowly basined due to the presence of the postcristid. There are no cingulids developed on p5.

The lower m1-2 of Eoictops novaceki n. sp. are nearly identical morphologically with m2 being only slightly smaller than m1. Both have tall and acute protoconids and metaconids with the metaconid being somewhat more robust than the protoconid and both being nearly equal height. These cusps are aligned labiolingually and are separated from each other by a fairly deep, v-shaped postprotocristid. The paraconid is much lower and relatively much smaller. It is placed just lingual of center on the prevallid, has an acute tip, and juts slightly anteriorly. A small precingulid is formed just labial and beneath the paraconid and constitutes the only cingulid developed on either tooth. Both teeth have high talonid cusps (not as high as the protoconid and metaconid, however) that are aligned in a slight arc along the posterior margin of the talonid. The hypoconid and hypoconulid are equally as tall and robust with the entoconid being only somewhat lower and smaller. Unlike p5, the prehypocristid extends to the base of the postvallid, joining that surface centrally and closing the talonid labially. The talonid is open lingually through a relatively broad entoconid notch. The talonid is narrowly basined with its occlusal surface sloping rather severely from labial to lingual (as it does in p5).

The lower third molar crown is damaged, but it is clear that m3 would have been smaller than either m1 or m2.

Etymology

Specific name for Michael J. Novacek who untangled the confusing systematics of Cenozoic leptictids and additionally for his many contributions towards the understanding of early insectivorans and the origins of placental mammals.

Remarks

Gazin (Reference Gazin1952, Reference Gazin1962) noted the presence of a leptictid dentary from near Fossil Butte in the collections at Princeton University (now housed at the Yale Peabody Museum). He did not figure or describe this specimen in detail, but assigned it to Diacodon, cf. alticuspis. Novacek (Reference Novacek1977) placed Diacodon, Gazin, Reference Gazin1952 in synonymy with Prodiacodon Matthew, Reference Matthew1929, although he did not specifically mention the Fossil Butte specimen under any of the synonymies he provided for Prodiacodon (also see Gunnell et al., Reference Gunnell, Bown and Bloch2008b). Novacek (Reference Novacek1977) did specifically place Diacodon pineyensis Gazin, Reference Gazin1952 within Prodiacodon tauri-cinerei (Jepsen, Reference Jepsen1930).

Following detailed analyses by Novacek (Reference Novacek1982) and Novacek et al. (Reference Novacek, Bown and Schankler1985), Diacodon alticuspis is now recognized as an erinaceomorph (McKenna and Bell, Reference McKenna and Bell1997; Gunnell et al., Reference Gunnell, Bown, Hutchison and Bloch2008c). Gazin (Reference Gazin1952) had previously stated that D. alticuspis was unlike other species of the genus in its p4 (= p5) morphology, suggesting that perhaps Palaeictops should be resurrected to accommodate the species of Diacodon other than D. alticuspis (Gazin identified these specimens as Palaeictops in 1962). While Gazin (Reference Gazin1952) assigned YPM-PU 16171 to Diacodon, cf. alticuspis, it is clear from his discussion that he viewed this specimen to be a leptictid.

While similar to Diacodon alticuspis in some ways (e.g., simpler p5 talonid, anteriorly sloping molar trigonids, especially notable on m2), YPM-PU 16171 is clearly distinguishable from this New Mexican taxon. Eoictops novaceki differs from Diacodon alticuspis in the following ways: (1) m3 smaller relative to m1-2 (m3 larger in D. alticuspis); (2) lower molar paraconids relatively higher, more cuspate and distinct (not lower, loph-like and less distinct); (3) p5 paraconid larger, higher, and more distinct; (4) p5 metaconid relatively larger and higher; and (5) p5 talonid more sloping (labially to lingually), less basined, and with a very tiny and low entoconid and a small hypoconulid that is positioned close to the posterior aspect of the hypoconid.

As Gazin noted (Reference Gazin1952), YPM-PU 16171 has relatively high molar trigonids, which is one of the characters cited by Novacek (Reference Novacek1977) distinguishing Prodiacodon from Palaeictops, but the differences in p5 structure cited above clearly differentiate this specimen from both Prodiacodon and Palaeictops.

Measurements

YPM-PU 16171: p5 = 3.0 x 1.7, m1 = 3.0 x 2.1, m2 = 2.8 x 1.9.

Order Cimolesta McKenna, Reference McKenna1975

Family Palaeoryctidae Winge, Reference Winge1917

Palaeoryctid indet.

Figure 3.5–3.6

Occurrence

Locality FB-16, late middle early Eocene, Wasatchian biochronologic zone Wa-6, main body, Wasatch Formation, Fossil Basin, Lincoln County, Wyoming.

Remarks

This slightly broken m1 represents a palaeoryctid based on its relatively high and compressed trigonid and low, lingually open talonid (Gunnell et al., Reference Gunnell, Bown, Bloch and Boyer2008a). It differs from Eoryctes (Thewissen and Gingerich, Reference Thewissen and Gingerich1989) in having a broader talonid basin that is open lingually and in having a more lingually placed entoconid. It differs from Palaeoryctes in having a less compressed trigonid with relatively larger and more inflated protoconid and metaconid, a more mesially directed and stronger paracristid, a relatively lower trigonid, and in having a small but distinct hypoconulid centered between the hypoconid and entoconid. This specimen differs from Pararyctes (Van Valen, Reference Van Valen1966) in having a relatively higher trigonid, a less distinct entoconid, and in lacking an entocristid. It is similar to Ottoryctes (Bloch et al., Reference Bloch, Secord and Gingerich2004) in having a relatively broad talonid and may represent that genus, but definitive identification awaits better specimens.

Measurements

FOBU 6094: m1 = 2.4 x 1.5.

Suborder Apatotheria Scott and Jepsen, Reference Scott and Jepsen1936

Family Apatemyidae Matthew, Reference Matthew1909

Genus Apatemys Marsh, Reference Marsh1872

Type species

Apatemys bellus Marsh, Reference Marsh1872, Bridger Formation, Henrys Fork, Wyoming.

Apatemys cf. A. whitakeri (Simpson, Reference Simpson1954)

Figure 3.7

1954 Teilhardella whitakeri Reference SimpsonSimpson, p. 1, fig. 1

Holotype

AMNH 48004, left dentary p4-m2, Wasatchian Biochron Wa7, San Jose Formation, Almagre Facies, San Juan Basin, New Mexico.

Occurrence

Locality FB-8, late middle early Eocene, Wasatchian biochronologic zone Wa-6, main body, Wasatch Formation, Fossil Basin, Lincoln County, Wyoming.

Remarks

Apatemys is relatively rare in biochrons Wa-6 and Wa-7 (Gunnell et al., Reference Gunnell, Bown, Bloch and Boyer2008a). A. whitakeri apparently is the only valid species of the genus now recognized from Wa-6 (Guthrie, Reference Guthrie1967), therefore FB 96-093 is tentatively assigned to that taxon.

Suborder Pantolesta McKenna, Reference McKenna1975

Family Pantolestidae Cope, Reference Cope1884

Genus Palaeosinopa Matthew, Reference Matthew1901

Type species

Palaeosinopa veterrima Matthew, Reference Matthew1901, Willwood Formation, Bighorn Basin, Wyoming.

Palaeosinopa lacus new species

Figure 4.1–4.3

Figure 4

(1–3) FOBU 6205, Palaeosinopa lacus n. sp. (Holotype), left dentary with roots of p2 and slightly broken p3-m1 in occlusal (top), lateral (middle) and medial (bottom) views. (4) UM 102585, Esthonyx cf. E. bisulcatus, left Mx (labial portion missing) in occlusal view. (5) FOBU 6389, Esthonyx cf. E. bisulcatus, right mx trigonid in occlusal view. (6–7) FOBU 6361, Ectoganus sp. indet., incisor fragment (left) and isolated molar (right) in lateral views. (8) FOBU 6356, Coryphodon sp. indet., upper molar fragment in occlusal view. (9) FOBU 6097, Palaeanodon sp. indet., right distal radius in distal view. (10) FOBU 6198, Palaeanodon sp. indet., left broken astragalus in dorsal view. Scale bars=5 mm for images 1–5 and 9–10; 1 cm for images 6–8.

Holotype

FOBU 6205, left dentary p2-m1, only known specimen, from Locality FB-5.

Diagnosis

Differs from all other species of Palaeosinopa in having a very broad and bulbous P/4 with a basined talonid possessing small but distinct hypoconid and entoconid cusps. Further differs from other species of Palaeosinopa in having a relatively smaller (but still distinct) mental foramen placed beneath p4 rather than a larger foramen beneath m1. Palaeosinopa lacus n. sp. is intermediate in size between Palaeosinopa lutreola and Palaeosinopa didelphoides (?= Palaeosinopa veterrima), being larger (about 25%) than the former and smaller (about 30%) than the latter.

Occurrence

Late middle early Eocene, Wasatchian biochronologic zone Wa-6, main body, Wasatch Formation, Fossil Basin, Lincoln County, Wyoming.

Description

The p2 is broken, preserving only its posterior-most part. This tooth is long and relatively narrow and has a tiny, centered talonid cuspule. The talonid is very short and narrow. Compared to P. didelphoides, the p2 of P. lacus is more elongate.

The p3 is broken posteriorly. It has no paraconid or metaconid and lacks an anterior basal cuspule (unlike P. didelphoides). The p3 paracristid is weakly defined and curves antero-lingually. The postvallid is flat and lacks a central ridge unlike P. didelphoides. Overall, p3 is relatively robust and heavily constructed with a blunt, rounded protoconid.

The p4 is broken anteriorly, so the disposition of the paraconid and paracristid cannot be determined. The protoconid is bulbous and robust with a flattened postvallid (lacking the central ridge present in P. didelphoides). There is no metaconid developed. The buccal and lingual margins of the postvallid are more vertical and less flared and sloping compared to P. didelphoides. Overall, p4 has a short and broad talonid with small, but distinct, hypoconid and entoconid cusps, the latter being slightly larger. There is a small basined area developed between these two cusps and the postvallid. Like all of the premolars of P. lacus, p4 lacks cingulid development.

The enlarged p4 of P. lacus is superficially similar to those seen in Paleocene pentacodontines (Gunnell et al., Reference Gunnell, Bown, Bloch and Boyer2008a), but it differs from these taxa in being relatively less bulbous and enlarged, in lacking a metaconid, and in having a shorter, less well-developed talonid basin.

The lower first molar is somewhat broken and worn. It differs from other species of Palaeosinopa in having the talonid distinctly broader than the trigonid. The cristid obliqua joins the postvallid centrally as in most other Palaeosinopa species, but unlike the other species, nearly reaches the crest of the postvallid. The trigonid is worn into a flat triangle, the typical wear pattern exhibited by many pantolestids.

The dentary of P. lacus lacks the enlarged mental foramen beneath m1 typical of many pantolestids, instead having a relatively small mental foramen placed under the p4. The dentary, as in most pantolestids, is relatively shallow and tapers anteriorly.

Etymology

Specific name from “lacus”, Latin for lake, in reference to Fossil Lake, the shores of which provided the habitat for the mammals from Fossil Butte.

Remarks

Matthew (Reference Matthew1909, Reference Matthew1918) recognized three (perhaps four) species of Palaeosinopa and five species of Pantolestes. Gazin (Reference Gazin1962) named an additional early Eocene pantolestid, Amaramnis (based on a single lower jaw with m2-3). While all three genera are probably valid, it seems nearly certain that there were fewer species present than have been previously recognized (Rose, Reference Rose2006; Gunnell et al., Reference Gunnell, Bown, Bloch and Boyer2008a). Matthew (Reference Matthew1918) hinted at this when he tentatively suggested that Palaeosinopa didelphoides and P. veterrima may be conspecific. Further work is required to sort out the diversity of North American Eocene pantolestids.

Measurements

FOBU 6205: p2 = 4.2 x 1.7, p3 = 4.4 x 2.6, p4 = 4.6 x 3.2, m1 = 3.9 x 3.3.

Suborder Tillodontia Marsh, Reference Marsh1875

Family Esthonychidae Cope, Reference Cope1883

Genus Esthonyx Cope, Reference Cope1874

Type species

Esthonyx bisulcatus Cope, Reference Cope1874, San Jose Formation, New Mexico.

Esthonyx cf. E. bisulcatus Cope, Reference Cope1874

Figure 4.4–4.5

1874 Esthonyx bisulcatus Reference CopeCope, p. 6

Holotype

USNM 1103, left dentary p3, m1-3, from Arroyo Blanco, Wasatchian Biochron Wa7, San Juan Basin, New Mexico.

Occurrence

Localities FB-6, 7, 16, 19, late middle early Eocene, Wasatchian biochronologic zone Wa-6, main body, Wasatch Formation, Fossil Basin, Lincoln County, Wyoming.

Remarks

These fragmentary teeth confirm the presence of Esthonyx at Fossil Butte. Estimating tooth size from the fragments preserved indicates that these specimens are in the size range of E. bisulcatus and probably represent that species.

Measurements

All of these teeth are too broken to provide accurate measurements.

Suborder Taeniodonta Cope, Reference Cope1876

Family Stylinodontidae Marsh, Reference Marsh1875

Genus Ectoganus Cope, Reference Cope1874

Type species

Ectoganus gliriformis Cope, Reference Cope1874, San Jose Formation, New Mexico.

Ectoganus sp. indet.

Figure 4.6–4.7

1962 Ectoganus sp. Reference GazinGazin, p. 44, Pl. 12, fig. 7

Occurrence

Locality FB-16, late middle early Eocene, Wasatchian biochronone Wa-6, main body, Wasatch Formation, Fossil Basin, Lincoln County, Wyoming.

Remarks

While fragmentary, this specimen confirms the presence of Ectoganus in the Fossil Butte sample.

Measurements

FOBU 6361 is too fragmentary to be certain of tooth position or to provide accurate measurements. Gazin (Reference Gazin1962) figured three fragmentary teeth (USNM 22785) of Ectoganus sp. from Fossil Butte.

Suborder Pantodonta Cope, Reference Cope1873

Family Coryphodontidae Marsh, Reference Marsh1876

Genus Coryphodon Owen, Reference Owen1845

Type species

Coryphodon eocanus Owen, Reference Owen1845, London Clay, Essex, United Kingdom.

Coryphodon sp. indet.

Figure 4.8

1952 Coryphodon, cf. radians (in part); Reference GazinGazin, p. 63, Pl. 9

1962 Coryphodon radians (in part); Reference GazinGazin, p. 70, Pl. 11, figs. 1–5, Pl. 12, figs. 1–2

Occurrence

Localities FB-6, 7, 9–12, 18, late middle early Eocene, Wasatchian biochronologic zone Wa-6, main body, Wasatch Formation, Fossil Basin, Lincoln County, Wyoming.

Remarks

There are two species of Coryphodon recognized from Wa-6 in Wyoming (Uhen and Gingerich, Reference Uhen and Gingerich1995), the larger C. lobatus and the smaller C. armatus. Most of the Fossil Butte Coryphodon specimens are too fragmentary to assign to either of these species. The relatively large size of the one measurable specimen, FOBU 6135, indicates that this individual probably represents Coryphodon lobatus. In a table (p. 9) published in 1952, Gazin indicated that Coryphodon sp. was present at Fossil Butte, but he did not mention any specific specimens in his discussion (Gazin, Reference Gazin1952, p. 63). Gazin (Reference Gazin1962, p. 70) noted the presence of scattered, fragmentary remains of Coryphodon from the lower slopes at Fossil Butte and included these specimens under his discussion of Coryphodon radians, a taxon now recognized as being restricted to Wasatchian biochron Wa-3 (Uhen and Gingerich, Reference Uhen and Gingerich1995).

Measurements

FOBU 6135: p4 = 26.1 x 20.8.

Order Pholidota Weber, Reference Weber1904

Suborder Palaeanodonta Matthew, Reference Matthew1918

Family Metacheiromyidae Wortman, Reference Wortman1903

Genus Palaeanodon Matthew, Reference Matthew1918

Type species

Palaeanodon ignavus Matthew, Reference Matthew1918, Willwood Formation, Wyoming.

Palaeanodon sp. indet.

Figure 4.9–4.10

Occurrence

Localities FB-1, 9, 19, late middle early Eocene, Wasatchian biochronologic zone Wa-6 (FB-9, 19) and late early Eocene, Wasatchian biochronologic zone Wa-7 (FB-1), main body, Wasatch Formation, Fossil Basin, Lincoln County, Wyoming.

Remarks

There are two different sizes of palaeanodonts present at Fossil Butte. The small sample size and fragmentary nature of the remains preclude specific determinations.

Order ?Primates Linnaeus, Reference Linnaeus1758

Suborder Plesiadapiformes Simons and Tattersall in Simons, Reference Simons1972

Superfamily Microsyopoidea Osborn and Wortman, Reference Osborn and Wortman1892

Family Microsyopidae Osborn and Wortman, Reference Osborn and Wortman1892

Genus Microsyops Leidy, Reference Leidy1872

Type species

Limnotherium elegans Marsh, Reference Marsh1871, Bridger Formation, Wyoming.

Microsyops latidens (Cope, Reference Cope1882a)

Figure 5.1–5.2

Figure 5

(1) FOBU 6366, Microsyops latidens, left dentary m1 in occlusal view. (2) FOBU 6287, Microsyops latidens, left dentary m2-3 in occlusal view. (3) FOBU 10011, Phenacolemur sp., left I1 in postero-occlusal view. (4) FOBU 6362, Cantius frugivorus, right dentary m2-3 in occlusal view. (5) UM 102587, Copelemur australotutus, right dentary p4-m3 in occlusal view. (6) FOBU 6193, Copelemur tutus, right dentary with p3 talonid, p4-m1, and partial trigonid of m2 showing distinct paraconid in occlusal view. Scale bars=5 mm for images 1–2 and 4–6; 2 mm for image 3.

1882a Cynodontomys latidens Reference CopeCope, p. 151

Holotype

AMNH 4195, left dentary p4, right dentary m1-2, from Wasatchian Biochron Wa6, Bighorn Basin, Wyoming.

Occurrence

Localities FB-9, 16, 18, late middle early Eocene, Wasatchian biochronologic zone Wa-6, main body, Wasatch Formation, Fossil Basin, Lincoln County, Wyoming.

Remarks

Microsyops latidens is the most common species of Microsyops from Wa-6 (Gunnell, Reference Gunnell1989). All of these specimens fall in the size range of M. latidens.

Measurements

FOBU 6366: m1 = 3.4 x 2.6; FOBU 6287: m2 = 3.2 x 2.5, m3 = 3.7 x 2.4.

Microsyops knightensis (Gazin, Reference Gazin1952)

1952 Cynodontomys knightensis Reference GazinGazin, p. 20, Pl. 2, fig. 1

Holotype

USNM 19314, left dentary p4-m3, from Knight Beds (=Wasatch Formation), LaBarge Fauna, Green River Basin, Wyoming.

Occurrence

Locality FB-16, late middle early Eocene, Wasatchian biochronologic zone Wa-6, main body, Wasatch Formation, Fossil Basin, Lincoln County, Wyoming.

Remarks

This single specimen represents a species of Microsyops larger than M. latidens. It can be identified as the common Wa-7 species of Microsyops—M. knightensis. As such, it represents the earliest known (Lysitean = Wa6) occurrence of this species.

Measurements

FOBU 6199: m2 = 4.2 x 3.3.

Superfamily Paromomyoidea Simpson, Reference Simpson1940

Family Paromomyidae Simpson, Reference Simpson1940

Genus Phenacolemur Matthew, Reference Matthew1915b

Type species

Phenacolemur praecox Matthew, Reference Matthew1915b, Willwood Formation, Wyoming.

Phenacolemur sp.

Figure 5.3

Occurrence

Horizon equivalent to locality FB-11 late middle early Eocene, Wasatchian biochronologic zone Wa-6, main body, Wasatch Formation, Fossil Basin, Lincoln County, Wyoming.

Remarks

There is a single specimen representing Phenacolemur from Fossil Butte. It is not currently possible to identify this isolated upper incisor to the species level.

Order Primates Linnaeus, Reference Linnaeus1758

Infraorder Adapiformes Szalay and Delson, Reference Szalay and Delson1979

Family Notharctidae Trouessart, Reference Trouessart1879

Subfamily Notharctinae Trouessart, Reference Trouessart1879

Genus Cantius Simons, Reference Simons1962

Type species

Protoadapis eppsi Cooper, Reference Cooper1932, Blackheath beds, Abbey Wood, Woolwich, Kent, United Kingdom.

Cantius frugivorus (Cope, Reference Cope1875)

Figure 5.4

1875 Pelycodus frugivorus Reference CopeCope, p. 14

1962 Pelycodus, near P. jarrovii; Reference GazinGazin, p. 28

Holotype

Unnumbered (specimen now lost), right dentary m2-3, from San Jose Formation, San Juan Basin, New Mexico (Neotype designated by Beard, Reference Beard1988: CM 37448, right dentary p3-m3, CM Almagre Locality 2, Sandoval County, New Mexico).

Occurrence

Localities FB-1, 4, 6, 7, 11, 19, 25, 26, late middle early Eocene, Wasatchian biochronologic zone Wa-6 (FB-4, 6-7, 11, 19, 25-26) and late early Eocene, Wasatchian biochronologic zone Wa-7 (FB-1), main body, Wasatch Formation, Fossil Basin, Lincoln County, Wyoming.

Remarks

Cantius frugivorus is the most common species of Wa-6 adapiform known from southern Wyoming (Gunnell, Reference Gunnell2002). These referred specimens agree in size and morphology with that species. Gazin (Reference Gazin1962, p 28) noted the presence of five adapiform specimens in the USNM collections from the “slopes of Fossil Butte” (including USNM 22259) that are larger than “Pelycodus” trigonodus. One of these specimens (USNM 22261) is the holotype of Copelemur australotutus (see below), while the others likely represent Cantius frugivorus.

Measurements

FOBU 6362: p4 = 3.9 x 2.7, m2 = 4.2 x 3.7, m3 = 5.1 x 3.4; FOBU 6373: m2 = 4.0 x 3.5; FOBU 6381: m2 = 4.6 x 4.2, m3 = 6.8 x 3.7; FOBU 6391: m3 = 5.2 x 3.5; FB 96-048: m2 = 4.5 x 3.6; FOBU 6114: m3 = 5.4 x 3.3; FOBU 6116: p3 = 3.5 x 2.5, p4 = 3.8 x 3.0, m1 = 4.1 x 3.6, m2 = 4.3 x 3.8; FOBU 6112: m3 = 5.5 x 3.4; UM 102588: m2 = 4.4 x 4.1.

Genus Copelemur Gingerich and Simons, Reference Gingerich and Simons1977

Type species

Tomitherium tutum Cope, Reference Cope1877, San Jose Formation, New Mexico.

Copelemur australotutus Beard, Reference Beard1988

Figure 5.5

Holotype

USNM 22261, left dentary p3-m1, from north face of Fossil Butte, Wasatch Formation, Fossil Basin, Wyoming.

Occurrence

Localities FB-1, 7, 8, 11, 19, 21, late middle early Eocene, Wasatchian biochronologic zone Wa-6 (FB-7-8, 11, 19, 21) and late early Eocene, Wasatchian biochronologic zone Wa-7 (FB-1), main body, Wasatch Formation, Fossil Basin, Lincoln County, Wyoming.

Remarks

Beard (Reference Beard1988) named C. australotutus based on a relatively poorly preserved specimen from Fossil Butte (USNM 22261). These newly referred specimens corroborate Beard’s recognition of C. australotutus as a distinct species of Copelemur. Relatively large samples of C. australotutus from the Washakie Basin (Gunnell, Reference Gunnell2002), in combination with those from Fossil Butte, make C. australotutus the best-known species of the genus.

Measurements

FB 97-089: m2 = 4.5 x 3.7; UM 102587: p4 = 4.1 x 3.0, m1 = 4.5 x 3.6, m2 = 4.8 x 4.0; UM 102589: M2 = 4.6 x 6.4, M3 = 4.8 x 5.7, m3 = 6.0 x 4.0.

Copelemur tutus (Cope, Reference Cope1877)

Figure 5.6

1877 Tomitherium tutum Reference CopeCope, p. 141, Pl. 39, fig. 19

1881 Pelycodus tutus (in part); Reference CopeCope, p. 187

1915b Pelycodus tutus; Reference MatthewMatthew, p. 441, fig. 15

1962 Pelycodus? tutus; Reference GazinGazin, p. 29

1977 Copelemur tutus; Reference Gingerich and SimonsGingerich and Simons, p. 271, Pl. 1, fig. 3, text fig. 6b

1988 Copelemur tutus; Reference BeardBeard, p 454, Fig. 8, 9

Holotype

Unnumbered (specimen now lost), right dentary p3-m1, from San Jose Formation, San Juan Basin, New Mexico (Neotype designated by Beard, Reference Beard1988: UALP 10233, right dentary p3-m2, UALP Locality 7745, Regina Member, Sandoval County, New Mexico).

Occurrence

Locality FB-13, late middle early Eocene, Wasatchian biochronologic zone Wa-6, main body, Wasatch Formation, Fossil Basin, Lincoln County, Wyoming.

Remarks

Copelemur tutus is relatively common in the San Juan Basin in New Mexico but is rare from southern Wyoming (Gingerich and Simons, Reference Gingerich and Simons1977; Gunnell, Reference Gunnell2002). While this specimen is somewhat worn and broken, the clear presence of a distinct paraconid on m2, the presence of a short, lingually bowed entocristid and entoconid notch on m1, and the presence of a distinct, high metaconid and a strong paracristid on p4 identify it as Copelemur. Its large size confirms its identification as C. tutus.

Measurements

FOBU 6193: p4 = 5.0 x 3.8, m1 = 5.6 x 4.0.

Order Condylarthra Cope, Reference Cope1881

Family Hyopsodontidae Trouessart, Reference Trouessart1879

Genus Hyopsodus Leidy, Reference Leidy1870

Type species

Hyopsodus paulus Leidy, Reference Leidy1870, Bridger Formation, Wyoming.

Hyopsodus minor Loomis, Reference Loomis1905

Figure 6.1–6.2

Figure 6

(1) FOBU 6213, Hyopsodus minor, left dentary m1-3 in occlusal view. (2) FOBU 6370, Hyopsodus minor, left maxilla M1-2 in occlusal view. (3) FOBU 6129, Hyopsodus powellianus, left dentary m2-3 in occlusal view. (4) FOBU 6297, Apheliscus cf. A. insidiosus, right p4 in occlusal (top) and buccal (bottom) views. (5) FOBU 6318, Haplomylus cf. H. scottianus, left dentary p3-4 in occlusal view. (6) FOBU 6437, Haplomylus cf. H. scottianus, right m2 in occlusal view. (7) FOBU 6365, Phenacodus trilobatus, left lower molar fragment (most of trigonid and a portion of the lingual margin missing) in occlusal view. (8–9) FOBU 6229, Ectocion superstes, left broken P4 (left, labial edge missing) and M1 (right, broken labially) in occlusal views. Scale bars=5 mm.

1962 Hyopsodus, cf. H. miticulus (in part); Reference GazinGazin p. 63

Holotype

AC 3492, right dentary m1-3, from Wasatchian Biochron Wa6, Wind River Formation, Wind River Basin, Wyoming.

Occurrence

Localities FB-4, 5, 6, 7, 9, 10, 15, 16, 18, 19, 24-27, late middle early Eocene, Wasatchian biochronologic zone Wa-6, main body, Wasatch Formation, Fossil Basin, Lincoln County, Wyoming.

Remarks

These specimens are consistent in size and morphology with the relatively small species of Hyopsodus, H. minor, documented from several areas in the Green River Basin (Gazin, Reference Gazin1968), other areas in Wyoming, the San Juan Basin in New Mexico, and the Piceance Basin in Colorado (Redline, Reference Redline1997). Gazin tentatively referred several specimens in the USNM collections from Fossil Butte (numbers not cited) to a relatively small species of Hyopsodus, H. miticulus but it is more likely, given the size of these specimens, that they represent H. minor instead.

Measurements

FOBU 6370: M1 = 3.1 x 3.8, M2 = 3.2 x 4.4; FOBU 6398: M2 = 3.6 x 5.0; FOBU 6412: m1 = 3.2 x 2.5, m2 = 3.3 x 2.7; FOBU 6392: M1 = 3.4 x 4.3, M2 = 3.6 x 4.7; FB 96-063: m2 = 3.5 x 3.1, m3 = 3.6 x 2.7; FB 96-078: m1 = 3.2 x 2.6; FOBU 6213: m1 = 3.2 x 2.7, m2 = 3.5 x 3.0, m3 = 3.7 x 2.8; FB 97-026: P4 = 3.3 x 4.3, M1 = 3.7 x 4.9; FB 97-033: m3 = 3.9 x 2.6; FB 97-068: p4 = 3.8 x 2.6; FB 97-076: p4 = 3.1 x 2.8, m1 = 3.5 x 3.2; FB 97-081: m2 = 3.4 x 3.1; FB 97-099: M2 = 3.2 x 4.8; FB 97-108: m1 = 3.0 x 2.6, m2 = 3.3 x 2.9, m3 = 3.6 x 2.6; FB 97-110: M2 = 3.4 x 4.6; UM 102594: M2 = 3.6 x 5.1.

Hyopsodus powellianus Cope, Reference Cope1884

Figure 6.3

1962 Hyopsodus browni (in part); Reference GazinGazin, p. 65

Lectotype

AMNH 4147, dentary m1-3, from unknown locality, Bighorn Basin, Wyoming.

Occurrence

Localities FB-1, 15 late middle early Eocene, Wasatchian biochronologic zone Wa-6 (FB-15) and late early Eocene, Wasatchian biochronologic zone Wa-7 (FB-1), main body, Wasatch Formation, Fossil Basin, Lincoln County, Wyoming.

Remarks

These teeth are intermediate in size between Hyopsodus powellianus and Hyopsodus paulus (Redline, Reference Redline1997). The M2 is within the size range of Hyopsodus paulus, but P4 is larger than the observed range for this species (Redline, Reference Redline1997), falling instead within the size range of H. powellianus. The lower teeth are within the lower size range for H. powellianus, therefore we identify all of these specimens as that species. Large species of Hyopsodus are relatively rare from biochron Wa-6 in the Green River Basin (Gazin, Reference Gazin1962). Gazin (Reference Gazin1962, p. 65) identified two large Hyopsodus specimens as H. browni, a maxilla with partial M2 and M3 from “high on the southwest slope of Fossil Butte,” in the deeper red beds just beneath the Green River (near UM Localities FB-1 and FB-27) and a dentary with m2 and part of m3 from “the saddle on the north side of Fossil Butte” (near UM Locality FB-22). We consider these specimens to represent H. powellianus.

Measurements

FOBU 6129: m2 = 5.1 x 4.1, m3 = 5.9 x 3.7; FB 96-035: P4 = 4.0 x 4.7; FB 97-066: M2 = 4.1 x 5.5.

Genus Apheliscus Cope, Reference Cope1875

Type species

Prototomus insidiosus Cope, Reference Cope1874, San Juan Basin, New Mexico.

Apheliscus cf. A. insidiosus (Cope, Reference Cope1874)

Figure 6.4

1874 Prototomus insidiosus Reference CopeCope, p. 14

Holotype

Unnumbered, dentary p4-m3 (specimen lost), from unknown locality, Biochron Wa7, San Jose Formation, New Mexico.

Occurrence

Locality FB-16, late middle early Eocene, Wasatchian biochronologic zone Wa-6, main body, Wasatch Formation, Fossil Basin, Lincoln County, Wyoming.

Remarks

This p4 is in the size range of A. insidiosus but differs from that species by possessing a small, anterior basal cuspule. Apheliscus is never especially abundant and is exceedingly rare in Wa-6, being represented in this biochron only by: (1) the type specimen of A. insidiosus from the San Juan Basin in New Mexico (the type has been lost for over 80 years, and no other specimens of Apheliscus have been reported from the San Juan Basin; see Rose, Reference Rose1981); (2) the above specimen from Fossil Butte; (3) a few specimens from the Bighorn Basin in northwestern Wyoming (personal communication, K.D. Rose, 2015); and (4) a single reported specimen from the Wind River Basin in south-central Wyoming (Guthrie, Reference Guthrie1967). Apheliscus apparently disappeared by the end of Wa-6 elsewhere (Woodburne et al., Reference Woodburne, Gunnell and Stucky2009).

Measurements

FOBU 6297: p4 = 3.1 x 1.7.

Genus Haplomylus Matthew, Reference Matthew1915a

Type species

Microsyops sperianus Cope, Reference Cope1880, Bighorn Basin, Wyoming.

Haplomylus cf. H. scottianus Gingerich, Reference Gingerich1994

Figure 6.5–6.6

1994 Haplomylus scottianus Reference GingerichGingerich, p. 126, figs. 3c, 3g, 4

Holotype

UM 92489, left dentary p4-m3, Wasatchian Biochron Wa5, Willwood Formation, Bighorn Basin, Wyoming.

Occurrence

Localities FB-11, 18, 19, late middle early Eocene, Wasatchian biochronologic zone Wa-6, main body, Wasatch Formation, Fossil Basin, Lincoln County, Wyoming.

Remarks

These specimens are in the size range of H. scottianus (Gingerich, Reference Gingerich1994), but differ from that species in having a simpler, relatively shorter p4 talonid, a weaker paracristid on m2, and a much weaker hypoconulid on m1-2. These specimens may prove to represent a species distinct from H. scottianus when better samples are discovered. These records (Wa-6) of Haplomylus are the latest known occurrences of the genus, whereas it apparently disappears by the end of Wa-5 elsewhere (Gazin, Reference Gazin1962; Gingerich, Reference Gingerich1994).

Measurements

FOBU 6437: m2 = 2.7 x 2.5; FOBU 6304: m1 = 2.6 x 2.1; FOBU 6318: p3 = 3.2 x 1.6, p4 = 3.4 x 1.9.

Family Phenacodontidae Cope, Reference Cope1881

Genus Phenacodus Cope, Reference Cope1873

Type species

Phenacodus primaevus Cope, Reference Cope1873, Green River Basin, Wyoming.

Phenacodus trilobatus Cope, Reference Cope1882b

Figure 6.7

Holotype

AMNH 4679, left dentary m1-3, locality unknown, middle to late Wasatchian, Willwood Formation, Bighorn Basin, Wyoming.

Occurrence

Locality FB-11, late middle early Eocene, Wasatchian biochronologic zone Wa-6, main body, Wasatch Formation, Fossil Basin, Lincoln County, Wyoming.

Remarks

This specimen preserves only enough morphology to indicate that it represents a relatively large species of Phenacodus. Phenacodus trilobatus is similar in size and is known from the late Wasatchian (Thewissen, Reference Thewissen1990), therefore this specimen is accordingly identified as that species.

Measurements

No standard measurements are possible on this broken specimen.

Genus Ectocion Cope, Reference Cope1882c

Type species

Oligotomus osbornianus Cope, Reference Cope1882c, Bighorn Basin, Wyoming.

Ectocion superstes Granger, Reference Granger1915

Figure 6.8–6.9

Holotype

AMNH 233A, dentary c1, p3-m3, Bridgerian Biochron Br1a, Wind River Formation, Wind River Basin, Wyoming.

Occurrence

Locality FB-16, late middle early Eocene, Wasatchian biochronologic zone Wa-6, main body, Wasatch Formation, Fossil Basin, Lincoln County, Wyoming.

Remarks

Besides these two fragments of E. superstes from Fossil Butte, the only other known sample of this rare phenacodontid comes from the earliest Bridgerian (Br1a) in the Wind River Basin of Wyoming (Thewissen, Reference Thewissen1990). These two fragmentary teeth from Wa-6 at Fossil Butte represent the earliest known occurrence of this species.

Measurements

No measurements are possible.

Family Meniscotheriidae Cope, Reference Cope1882d

Genus Meniscotherium Cope, Reference Cope1874

Type species

Meniscotherium chamense Cope, Reference Cope1874, San Juan Basin, New Mexico.

Meniscotherium cf. M. robustum Thorpe, Reference Thorpe1934

1934 Mensicotherium robustum Reference ThorpeThorpe, p. 401, figs. 1–4

1962 Meniscotherium robustum (in part); Reference GazinGazin, p. 68

Holotype

YPM 10101, skull, dentary, Knight beds (= Wasatch Formation), middle to late Wasatchian, near Aspen, Wyoming.

Occurrence

Locality FB-15, late middle early Eocene, Wasatchian biochronologic zone Wa-6, main body, Wasatch Formation, Fossil Basin, Lincoln County, Wyoming.

Remarks

As discussed by Gazin (Reference Gazin1962), Meniscotherium is extremely rare in Fossil Basin, which seems odd given that it is abundant from correlative beds in the adjacent Green River Basin. Gazin (Reference Gazin1962, p. 68) noted the presence of this one specimen of Meniscotherium from “high on Fossil Butte” (UM FB-15) that he hesitantly assigned to M. robustum.

Measurements

FBF 155: p4 = 8.0 x 5.5, m1 = 8.0 x 5.8, m2 = 9.0 x 6.8.

Order Mesonychia Matthew, Reference Matthew1937

Family Mesonychidae Cope, Reference Cope1875

Mesonychid sp. indet.

Occurrence

“Low on slope of Fossil Butte” (Gazin, Reference Gazin1962, p. 51; probably in the vicinity of UM localities FB-4, FB-11, and FB-26), late middle early Eocene, Wasatchian biochronologic zone Wa-6, main body, Wasatch Formation, Fossil Basin, Lincoln County, Wyoming.

Remarks

Gazin (Reference Gazin1962, p. 51) noted the presence of a fragmentary lower cheek tooth of a mesonychid from Fossil Butte. He identified this tooth as Pachyaena gracilis, but noted that it seemed rather small and reminiscent of Dissacus as well. In either case, it represents the only known record of a mesonychid from Fossil Butte.

Order Rodentia Bowdich, Reference Bowdich1821

Family Ischyromyidae Alston, Reference Alston1876

Subfamily Reithroparamyinae Wood, Reference Wood1962

Genus Reithroparamys Matthew, Reference Matthew1920

Type species

Paramys delicatissimus Leidy, Reference Leidy1871, Green River Basin, Wyoming.

Reithroparamys cf. R. debequensis Wood, Reference Wood1962

1962 Reithroparamys debequensis Reference WoodWood, p. 134, fig. 45D–G

1962 Reithroparamys sp., Reference GazinGazin, p. 46

Holotype

FMNH (CNHM) P-26726, left dentary i1, m1-3, Wasatchian Biochron Wa6, Debeque Formation, near Rifle, Colorado.

Occurrence

Saddle north of Fossil Butte (near UM Localities FB-22 and FB-28), late middle early Eocene, Wasatchian biochronologic zone Wa-6, main body, Wasatch Formation, Fossil Basin, Lincoln County, Wyoming.

Remarks

A single specimen of Reithroparamys is represented at Fossil Butte, questionably identified as R. debequensis by Wood (Reference Wood1962). He noted that it was similar to R. debequensis but that the molar was much narrower than other specimens.

Subfamily Paramyinae Haeckel, Reference Haeckel1895

Genus ?Notoparamys Korth, Reference Korth1984

Type species

Leptotomus costilloi Wood, Reference Wood1962, Huerfano Basin, Colorado.

?Notoparamys blochi new species

Figure 7.1–7.4

Figure 7

(1–2) FOBU 6092, ?Notoparamys blochi n. sp. (Holotype), left m1 (left) and right dentary m1-2 (right) in occlusal view. (3–4) FOBU 6092, ?Notoparamys blochi n. sp. (Holotype), left maxilla M2-3 (top) and right M1 (bottom) in occlusal view. (5) FOBU 6182, Paramys excavatus, left maxilla P4-M1 in occlusal view. (6–7) FOBU 6161, Knightomys depressus, right m2 (left) and FOBU 6408, Knightomys depressus, left m1 (right) in occlusal view. Scale bars=5 mm.

Holotype

Holotype and only specimen, FOBU 6092, associated left dentary m1, right dentary m1-2, left maxilla M2-3, right maxilla M1, and postcranial fragments, found by Jonathan I. Bloch, July 30, 1997, from locality FB-15, late middle early Eocene, Wasatchian biochronologic zone Wa-6, main body, Wasatch Formation, Fossil Basin, Lincoln County, Wyoming.

Diagnosis

?Notoparamys blochi n. sp. differs from Notoparamys costilloi in having an unreduced M3, a less transversely elongate hypoconulid on lower molars, an m1-2 mesoconid that is connected to the base of the protoconid and to the anterolingual base of the hypoconid (i.e., complete ectolophid), in lacking a protoconid loph that extends into the trigonid basin, and in lacking full development of the distinctive double-ridged connection between the hypoconulid and entoconid that is apparently typical of Notoparamys (Korth, Reference Korth1984 and discussion below); differs from N. arctios in being substantially larger in tooth dimensions (on average 25% larger in linear dimensions), but does resemble this species in lacking a protoconid extension into the trigonid basin.

Description

The holotype (and only) specimen of ?Notoparamys blochi n. sp. is known from upper and lower molars. Lower m1 and m2 are similar in having bulbous and marginally placed proto-, meta-, hypo-, and entoconids, with the hypoconid being the most robust cusp, followed by the metaconid. The hypoconid bulges buccally towards its base and is essentially separated from the protoconid by a distinct, low mesoconid (the mesoconid is connected to both the proto- and hypoconid on m1). There is a distinct, crescentic hypoconulid present that is centered on posterolophid of each tooth (not more lingually placed as noted for Notoparamys by Korth, Reference Korth1984) and separated from both the hypoconid and entoconid by narrow valleys. There is a short crest that extends from the buccal base of the entoconid posterobuccally toward the hypoconulid but does not reach that cusp. The hypoconulid is not connected to the entoconid by an additional crest posterior to the one from the entoconid, instead being separated posteriorly from the entoconid by a tiny cuspule. Lower m2 differs from m1 in being slightly larger with a slightly more anteroposteriorly compressed metalophid.

Upper molars are all similar to one another and share the following morphological features. Protocones are rounded and robust and paracones. Metacones are distinct and relatively smaller than the protocone, especially on M1-2. A distinct hypocone is present on M1 and M2 (absent on M3) that is separated from the protocone by a sharply defined groove as in Notoparamys . Hypocones do not extend as far lingually as the protocones. Robust and bulbous mesostyles are present on all molars, with M3 having at least three small mesostylar cusps. Incipiently doubled potoconules (best seen on M2-3) and distinctly doubled metaconules are found on all three molars, the latter feature being shared with Notoparamys (and other paramyines as well, see Rose and Von Koenigswald, Reference Rose and Von Koenigswald2007 for discussion). Pre- and postcingula are well developed and anteroposteriorly broad.

M1 differs from M2 in being somewhat smaller and anteroposteriorly narrower with a less broad trigon fovea (basin). M3 differs from both M1 and M2 in lacking a hypocone and in having a more robust and relatively larger protocone. It also differs from the other molars in having a rounded and posteriorly directed metacone, a double-crested metaloph with the posterior branch reaching the postcingulid and forming a small cuspule there, and in being somewhat more triangular in shape rather than more rhomboidal like M1-2.

Etymology

For Jonathan I. Bloch, who discovered the type specimen and for his many contributions to the recovery and study of fossil mammals from Wyoming and elsewhere.

Remarks

Rose and Von Koenigswald (Reference Rose and Von Koenigswald2007) discussed the complicated history of Notoparamys and described a highly variable sample of what they referred to as N. costilloi from Wa-6 in the Bighorn Basin of northwestern Wyoming. They noted that many (most) of the distinctive characters used to diagnose this genus (hypocone distinct and adjacent to metaconule on M1-2, M3 smaller than M1-2, mesoconid large and isolated on lower molars, hypoconulid wide and connected to entoconid by a pair of ridges enclosing a tiny basin that may be open posteriorly, accessory lophid extends from metaconid into trigonid fovea, low incisor flattened medially, rounded laterally, see Korth, Reference Korth1984, Reference Korth1994b; Anderson, Reference Anderson2008) are variably present or absent and variably developed or not in the Bighorn Basin sample.

?Notoparamys blochi n. sp. is no exception, with only a distinct hypocone and an accessory lophid extending from the metaconid into the trigonid fovea on the lower molars being definitively shared in common with the genotype species, N. costilloi. The double-ridge connection of the hypoconulid to the entoconid is only incipient (see description above) on the m1-2 of ?N. blochi. Korth (Reference Korth1984) indicated that both of these ridges originated from the lingual end of the hypoconulid in Notoparamys but it is apparent from the m1-2 of ?N. blochi that the more mesial of these ridges likely originated from the entoconid and extended posterobucally to eventually reach the hypoconulid. The more posterior of these ridges is described as being “broken at its center by narrow valley” (Korth, Reference Korth1984, p. 21). In ?N. blochi, the posterior ridge is clearly differentiated from the entoconid by a rather distinct valley on m1 while that valley is partially bridged by a small cuspule located between the entoconid and hypoconulid on m2.

We tentatively assign this new species to ?Notoparamys. However, we note that, aside from the type sample from Huerfano (Wood, Reference Wood1962; Robinson, Reference Robinson1966; Korth, Reference Korth1984), it is questionable whether or not any of the other specimens assigned to Notoparamys (Korth, Reference Korth1984; Rose and Chinnery, Reference Rose and Chinnery2004; Rose and Von Koenigswald, Reference Rose and Von Koenigswald2007) actually belong to that genus, and if they do, whether or not the genus can be sustained as defined given that virtually every character cited in the diagnosis is so variable as to often be completely absent. We believe that, at the generic level especially, diagnostic characters must be those that are present in all specimens whether or not they are weakly or more strongly formed.

Measurements

FOBU 6092: M1 = 3.7 x 4.3, M2 = 3.8 x 4.3, M3 = 4.3 x 3.9, m1 = 4.1 x 3.5, m2 = 4.5 x 3.8.

Genus Paramys Leidy, Reference Leidy1871

Type species

Paramys delicatus Leidy, Reference Leidy1871 (as designated by Wood, Reference Wood1962), Green River Basin, Wyoming.

Paramys excavatus Loomis, Reference Loomis1907

Figure 7.5

Holotype

ACM 327, right dentary p4-m3, Wasatchian Biochron a6, Wind River Formation, Bridger Creek, Wyoming.

Occurrence

Localities FB-1, 10, 18, 19, late middle early Eocene, Wasatchian biochronologic zone Wa-6 (FB-10, 18-19) and late early Eocene, Wasatchian biochronologic zone Wa-7 (FB-1), main body, Wasatch Formation, Fossil Basin, Lincoln County, Wyoming.

Remarks

These specimens are in the size range of the relatively common taxon Paramys excavatus (Wood, Reference Wood1962) and probably all represent that species.

Measurements

FB 96-039: m1 = 3.1 x 3.0; FOBU 6182: P4 = 2.7 x 3.3, M1 = 2.7 x 3.3; FB 97-079: p4 = 2.6 x 2.1.

Paramyinae sp. indet.

Occurrence

Locality FB-16, late middle early Eocene, Wasatchian biochronologic zone Wa-6, main body, Wasatch Formation, Fossil Basin, Lincoln County, Wyoming.

Remarks

This tooth represents a small paramyine, larger than Microparamys, but smaller than other known paramyines. M2 is almost square with a relatively small, indistinct, posteriorly placed hypocone, a relatively strong, isolated metaconule, and a tiny mesostyle. This tooth may represent a new paramyine genus, but more complete specimens are required to be certain.

Measurements

FB 6283: M2 = 2.1 x 2.2

Family Sciuravidae Miller and Gidley, Reference Miller and Gidley1918

Genus Knightomys Gazin, Reference Gazin1961

Type species

Tillomys senior Gazin, Reference Gazin1952, Green River Basin, Wyoming.

Knightomys depressus Loomis, Reference Loomis1907

Figure 7.6–7.7

Holotype

ACM 432, skull with right M1-3, left I1, Wasatchian Biochron Wa6, Wind River Formation, Wyoming.

Occurrence

Localities FB-1, 4, late middle early Eocene, Wasatchian biochronologic zone Wa-6 (FB-4) and late early Eocene, Wasatchian biochronologic zone Wa-7 (FB-1), main body, Wasatch Formation, Fossil Basin, Lincoln County, Wyoming.

Remarks

These two specimens represent a sciuravid larger than Knightomys senior (Gazin, Reference Gazin1952) and are similar in size to K. depressus (Loomis, Reference Loomis1907). The type sample of K. depressus is from the Wa-6 horizon in the Wind River Basin (Wood, Reference Wood1965), but the species may range into the Bridgerian (Korth, Reference Korth1994b).

Measurements

FOBU 6161: m2 = 2.0 x 1.9; FOBU 6408: m = 2.0 x 1.7.

Knightomys huerfanensis (Wood, Reference Wood1962)

1962 Paramys huerfanensis Reference WoodWood, p. 62

1966 Paramys huerfanensis; Reference RobinsonRobinson, p. 45

Holotype

AMNH 55114, right dentary p4-m3, Bridgerian Biochron Br1a, Locality II, Huerfano Formation, Colorado.

Occurrence

Locality FB-19, late middle early Eocene, Wasatchian biochronologic zone Wa-6, main body, Wasatch Formation, Fossil Basin, Lincoln County, Wyoming.

Remarks

This single tooth represents a relatively large species of Knightomys. It is of similar size to K. huerfanensis and, like that species, has relatively robust and rounded cusps, especially the protocone and hypocone (Korth, Reference Korth1984). This specimen represents the earliest known occurrence (Wa-6) of K. huerfanensis, otherwise only known from the latest Wasatchian (Wa-7) and earliest Bridgerian (Br-1a).

Measurements

FOBU 6397: M2 = 2.3 x 2.5.

Order Oxyaenodonta Van Valen, Reference Van Valen1971

Family Oxyaenidae Cope, Reference Cope1877

Subfamily Oxyaeninae Cope, Reference Cope1877

Genus Oxyaena Cope, Reference Cope1874

Type species

Oxyaena lupina Cope, Reference Cope1874, San Juan Basin, New Mexico.

Oxyaena forcipata Cope, Reference Cope1874

Figure 8.1–8.2

Figure 8

(1–2) UM 102584, Oxyaena forcipata, left dp4 with broken labial trigonid and lingual talonid in occlusal (top) and lingual (bottom) views. (3) FOBU 6380, Prototomus secundarius, right P4 in occlusal view. (4) FOBU 6380, Prototomus secundarius, left broken M1 in occlusal view. (5) FOBU 6385, Didymictis cf. D. protenus, left m2 in occlusal view. (6) UM 108143, Didymictis cf. D. protenus, left M1 (broken) in occlusal view. Scale bars=5 mm.

Holotype

USNM 1029, left and right dentaries, Wasatchian Biochron Wa7, San Jose Formation, San Juan Basin, New Mexico.

Occurrence

Locality FB-7, late middle early Eocene, Wasatchian biochronologic zone Wa-6, main body, Wasatch Formation, Fossil Basin, Lincoln County, Wyoming.

Remarks

This specimen represents a relatively large species of Oxyaena. The Wa-6 form, O. forcipata, is of the right size and morphology, and we identify UM 102584 as this species.

Measurements

UM 102584: dp4 length = 13.9 mm (a width measurement is not possible on this broken specimen).

Order Hyaenodonta Van Valen, Reference Van Valen1967

Genus Prototomus Cope, Reference Cope1874

Type species

Prototomus viverrinus Cope, Reference Cope1874, San Juan Basin, New Mexico.

Prototomus secundarius Cope, Reference Cope1875

Figure 8.3–8.4

1962 Sinopa, cf. S. multicuspis (in part); Reference GazinGazin, p. 55

Holotype

USNM 1025, left and right dentary fragments, Wasatchian Biochron Wa7, San Jose Formation, San Juan Basin, New Mexico.

Occurrence

Locality FB-27, late middle early Eocene, Wasatchian biochronologic zone Wa-6, main body, Wasatch Formation, Fossil Basin, Lincoln County, Wyoming.

Remarks

These specimens represent an intermediate-sized hyaenodontid and are of appropriate size and morphology to be identified as P. secundarius. An additional specimen, probably referable to P. secundarius, from “high on Fossil Butte” (Gazin, Reference Gazin1962, p. 55; near UM Localities FB-1 and FB-27), is USNM 22460, a fragmentary right maxilla with two broken molars.

Measurements

FOBU 6380: P3 = 5.0 x 2.7, P4 = 5.5 x 5.0, M1 = 6.0 x 7.2.

Hyaenodontid sp. indet.

Occurrence

Localities FB-13, 18, late middle early Eocene, Wasatchian biochronologic zone Wa-6, main body, Wasatch Formation, Fossil Basin, Lincoln County, Wyoming.

Remarks

These two specimens represent hyaenodontids, but it is not possible to identify either to genus or species.

Order Carnivora Bowdich, Reference Bowdich1821

Family Viverravidae Wortman and Matthew, Reference Wortman and Matthew1899

Genus Viverravus Marsh, Reference Marsh1872

Type species

Viverravus gracilis Marsh, Reference Marsh1872, Green River Basin, Wyoming.

Viverravus sp. indet.

Occurrence

Localities FB-8, 9, late middle early Eocene, Wasatchian biochronologic zone Wa-6, main body, Wasatch Formation, Fossil Basin, Lincoln County, Wyoming.

Remarks

These two specimens confirm the presence of Viverravus at Fossil Butte. They are too fragmentary for specific determination.

Genus Didymictis Cope, Reference Cope1875

Type species

Limnocyon protenus Cope, Reference Cope1874, San Juan Basin, New Mexico.

Didymictis cf. D. protenus (Cope, Reference Cope1874)

Figure 8.5–8.6

1874 Limnocyon protenus Reference CopeCope, p. 15

1882a Didymictis curtidens Reference CopeCope, p. 160

1962 Didymictis altidens (in part); Reference GazinGazin, p. 57

Holotype

USNM 1092, left and right dentaries, Wasachian Biochron Wa7, San Jose Formation, San Juan Basin, New Mexico.

Occurrence

Localities FB-1, 5, 7, late middle early Eocene, Wasatchian biochronologic zone Wa-6 (FB-5, 7) and late early Eocene, Wasatchian biochronologic zone Wa-7 (FB-1), main body, Wasatch Formation, Fossil Basin, Lincoln County, Wyoming.

Remarks

These specimens represent a medium-sized species of Didymictis. They are similar in size to D. protenus and smaller than D. altidens. Gazin (Reference Gazin1962, p. 57) tentatively assigned some tooth fragments from the “higher slopes of Fossil Butte” (probably near UM Localities FB-1 and FB-27) to D. altidens. We believe it is more probable that they represent D. protenus.

Measurements

FOBU 6385: m2 = 8.0 x 4.7; UM 108143: M1 = 7.0 x 9.9.

Family Miacidae Cope, Reference Cope1880

Genus Vulpavus Marsh, Reference Marsh1871

Type species

Vulpavus palustris Marsh, Reference Marsh1871, Green River Basin, Wyoming.

Vulpavus australis Savagea

1962 cf. Vulpavus australis; Reference GazinGazin, p. 60

Holotype

AMNH 16226, left dentary p4-m3, Wasatchian Wa7, San Jose Formation, San Juan Basin, New Mexico.

Occurrence

“High on the slope of Fossil Butte” (Gazin, Reference Gazin1962, p. 60; probably near UM Localities FB-1 and FB-27), late middle early Eocene, Wasatchian biochronologic zone Wa-6 (FB-27) or late early Eocene, Wasatchian biochronologic zone Wa-7 (FB-1), main body, Wasatch Formation, Fossil Basin, Lincoln County, Wyoming.

Remarks

Gazin (Reference Gazin1962, p. 60) noted the presence of a single tooth of Vulpavus from Fossil Butte. This specimen conforms in size and morphology with V. australis.

Miacid sp. A & B indet.

Occurrence

Localities FB-1, 5, 7, late middle early Eocene, Wasatchian biochronologic zone Wa-6 (FB-5, 7) and late early Eocene, Wasatchian biochronologic zone Wa-7 (FB-1), main body, Wasatch Formation, Fossil Basin, Lincoln County, Wyoming.

Remarks

These fragmentary specimens represent two different miacid carnivorans, but are too incomplete to be assigned to any particular genus or species.

Order Perissodactyla Owen, Reference Owen1848

Family Equidae Gray, Reference Gray1821

Genus Protorohippus Wortman, Reference Wortman1886

Type species

Hyracotherium venticolum Cope, Reference Cope1881, Wind River Basin, Wyoming.

Protorohippus venticolum (Cope, Reference Cope1881)

Figure 9.1–9.2

Figure 9

(1) FOBU 6378, Protorohippus venticolum, left dentary p4-m3 in occlusal view. (2) FOBU 6325, Protorohippus venticolum, left maxilla M2-3 in occlusal view. (3) FOBU 6179, Heptodon calciculus, left M1 in occlusal view. (4) FOBU 6154, Lambdotherium popoagicum, left m1 trigonid in occlusal view. (5) DPC 14810, Lambdotherium popoagicum, left m1 in occlusal view. Scale bars=5 mm.

1881 Hyracotherium venticolum Reference CopeCope, p. 198

1886 Protorohippus venticolus; Reference WortmanWortman, p. 105

1908 Eohippus venticolus; Reference GrangerGranger, p. 244

1952 Hyracotherium index (in part); Reference GazinGazin, p. 66

1956 Hyracotherium vasacciense venticolum; Reference KittsKitts, p. 50

1962 Hyracotherium vasacciense (in part); Reference GazinGazin, p. 73

1967 Hyracotherium vasacciense; Reference GuthrieGuthrie, p. 43

2002 Protorohippus venticolum; Reference FroehlichFroehlich, p. 180

Holotype

AMNH 4832, skull and skeleton, Wasatchian Biochron Wa7, Wind River Formation, Wind River Basin, Wyoming.

Occurrence

Localities FB-4, 5, 7–9, 11, 14–16, 18, 19, 21, 22, 26, 27, 29, late middle early Eocene, Wasatchian biochronologic zone Wa-6, main body, Wasatch Formation, Fossil Basin, Lincoln County, Wyoming.

Referred specimens

FB-4: FOBU 6387, left Mx. FB-5: FB 95-006, left m1-2; FOBU 6404, right Mx. FB-7: UM 102583, right maxilla dP3-4-M1; UM 102590, right P3; UM 108137, left P2; UM 108139, right p4; UM 108140, left p3; UM 108141, right P4; UM 108142, right maxilla P2-M1. FB-8: FB 96-017, right dentary m2; FB 96-020, right P3, Mx. FB-9: FB 96-064, right p4; FB 96-073, left M3; FB 96-074, right P4; FB 97-019, left m2. FB-11: FOBU 6358, right dentary m3 (broken); FOBU 6374, left dp4, m2; FOBU 6375, left dentary, postcrania; FOBU 6378, left and right dentaries, right maxilla; FOBU 6383, left m3. FB-14: FB 97-025, left m1. FB-15: FB 97-027, left M3, left m3; FB 97-067, right M1. FB-16: FB 97-031, left maxilla M1-2, right m1; FB 97-032, right dentary m3; FB 97-034, left p4; FB 97-042, right dentary p3-m2, Mx; FB 97-071, left dentary m2; FOBU 6372, right dentary m1-2 (teeth broken); FOBU 6418, left m1. FB-18: FB 97-078, right m1. FB-19: FB 97-084, left dentary m2; FB 97-087, left maxilla M1-3; FB 97-090, right maxilla M1; FB 97-093, right dentary dp4-m3; FOBU 6382, right dentary p3-4, m2-3. FB-21: FB 97-103, left M3. FB-22: FOBU 6325, palate. FB-26: FB 97-114, left dentary m1; FB 97-117, right M2-3. FB-27: FOBU 6428, left p3. FB-29: FB 97-124, left dentary m1.

Remarks

Equids are by far the most common mammals found at Fossil Butte. While there is some variation in tooth size, all of these specimens can be accommodated in Protorohippus venticolum, the most common Wa-6–Wa-7 species of North American equid (Froehlich, Reference Froehlich2002). Gazin (Reference Gazin1952, p 66) referred YPM-PU 16172 from three miles north of Fossil, Wyoming to Hyracotherium index. In 1962, Gazin noted that Kitts (Reference Kitts1956) synonymized H. index with H. vasacciense. Gazin (Reference Gazin1962, p. 73) reallocated all of the specimens he had assigned to H. index in 1952 to H. vasacciense, but noted that he still believed that two species were included within these samples and that H. index was still valid even though he was uncertain how to definitively separate the samples into two distinct species. Froehlich (Reference Froehlich2002) assigned this species to Protorohippus, and we follow that designation here. It seems clear that P. venticolum is a highly variable species, both in size and morphology. We concur with Gazin (Reference Gazin1962) that two species probably are represented within the various samples, but we have chosen to include all of the Fossil Butte specimens referred above in this single species given the fragmentary nature of most specimens and the difficulty in isolating trends in either size or morphology.

Measurements

See Table 2 for tooth measurements of Protorohippus venticolum.

Table 2

Tooth measurements of Protorohippus venticolum; L=maximum length, W=maximum width, d indicates deciduous tooth.

Genus Xenicohippus Bown and Kihm, Reference Bown and Kihm1981

Type species

Xenicohippus grangeri Bown and Kihm, Reference Bown and Kihm1981, Bighorn Basin, Wyoming.

Xenicohippus craspedotum (Cope, Reference Cope1880)

1880 Hyracotherium craspedotum Reference CopeCope, p. 747

1908 Eohippus craspedotum; Reference GrangerGranger, p. 244

1952 Hyracotherium, cf. H. venticolum (in part); Reference GazinGazin, p. 66

1962 Hyracotherium, cf. H. craspedotum (in part); Reference GazinGazin, p. 74, Pl. 13, fig. 11

1966 Hyracotherium craspedotum; Reference RobinsonRobinson, p. 61, Pl. IV, fig. 3

Holotype

AMNH 4830, left and right dentaries, Wasatchian Biochron Wa6, Wind River Formation, Wind River Basin, Wyoming.

Occurrence

Localities FB-1, 6, 25.

Remarks

Three equid specimens from Fossil Butte are outside the tooth size range of H. vasacciense (=P. venticolum) as documented by Kitts (Reference Kitts1956). They can be recognized as the larger Wa-6–Wa-7 equid species, Xenicohippus craspedotum. Gazin (Reference Gazin1952) identified YPM-PU 16173 from near Fossil, Wyoming as Hyracotherium cf. H. venticolum. In 1962, Gazin moved this specimen into Hyracotherium cf. H. craspedotum a decision with which we concur. Froehlich (Reference Froehlich2002) assigned this species to Xenicohippus, and we follow that designation here.

Measurements

FB 96-040: p2 = 6.6 x 3.4; FB 96-008: p3 = 6.5 x 4.3, p4 = 7.4 x 5.9, m1 = 8.2 x 6.2; FB 97-111: p3 = 6.6 x 3.9, p4 = 7.5 x 4.9.

Equid sp. indet.

Occurrence

Localities FB-1, 4–9, 11, 16, 19, 27, late middle early Eocene, Wasatchian biochronologic zone Wa-6 (FB-4–9, 11, 16, 19, 27) and late early Eocene, Wasatchian biochronologic zone Wa-7 (FB-1), main body, Wasatch Formation, Fossil Basin, Lincoln County, Wyoming.

Remarks

These equid specimens are not complete enough for further identification.

Family Helaletidae Osborn and Wortman, Reference Osborn and Wortman1892

Genus Heptodon Cope, Reference Cope1882e

Type species

Lophiodon ventorum Cope, Reference Cope1880, Wind River Basin, Wyoming.

Heptodon calciculus (Cope, Reference Cope1880)

Figure 9.3

1880 Lophiodon calciculus Reference CopeCope, p. 747

1952 Heptodon cf. H. ventorum (in part); Reference GazinGazin, p. 70

1962 Heptodon ventorum (in part); Reference GazinGazin, p. 78, Pl. 13, fig. 12

Holotype

AMNH 4858, left and right dentaries p3-m3, Wasatchian Biochron Wa7, Wind River Formation, Wind River Basin, Wyoming.

Occurrence

Localities FB-9, 12, 26, late middle early Eocene, Wasatchian biochronologic zone Wa-6, main body, Wasatch Formation, Fossil Basin, Lincoln County, Wyoming.

Remarks

Heptodon is the most common tapiroid known from Wa-6–Wa-7 in Wyoming and Colorado. These specimens agree in size and morphological detail with H. calciculus and are smaller than Heptodon posticus (Radinsky, Reference Radinsky1963). Gazin (Reference Gazin1952) tentatively identified YPM-PU 16174, a dP/4 from near Fossil, Wyoming, as Heptodon ventorum. In 1962, Gazin again identified this specimen, along with four lots of fragmentary teeth from Fossil Butte (no specimen numbers cited), as H. ventorum, although he noted that all of these specimens corresponded more closely to the holotype of H. calciculus. We recognize all specimens of Heptodon from Fossil Butte as H. calciculus.

Measurements

FOBU 6179: M1 = 10.9 x 12.3; FOBU 6291: dP4 = 11.0 x 11.2.

Family Palaeotheriidae Bonaparte, Reference Bonaparte1850

Genus Lambdotherium Cope, Reference Cope1880

Type species

Lambdotherium popoagicum Cope, Reference Cope1880, Wind River Basin, Wyoming.

Lambdotherium popoagicum Cope, Reference Cope1880

Figure 9.4

Holotype

AMNH 4863, left dentary p2-m3, Wasatchian Biochron Wa7, Wind River Formation, Wind River Basin, Wyoming.

Occurrence

Locality FB-1, late early Eocene, Wasatchian biochronologic zone Wa-7 (FB-1), main body, Wasatch Formation, Fossil Basin, Lincoln County, Wyoming.

Remarks

Although this specimen is fragmentary, it can be confidently identified as Lambdotherium. Lambdotherium is the primary index taxon of the Lostcabinian, indicating that the top of the Wasatch section at Fossil Butte represents Wa-7.

Order Artiodactyla Owen, Reference Owen1848

Family Dichobunidae Turner, Reference Turner1849

Genus Bunophorus Sinclair, Reference Sinclair1914

Type species

Mioclaenus etsagicus Cope, Reference Cope1882a, Bighorn Basin, Wyoming.

Bunophorus grangeri (Sinclair, Reference Sinclair1914)

Figure 10.1–10.2

Figure 10

(1) FOBU 6441, Bunophorus grangeri, left P3 in occlusal view. (2) FOBU 6410, Bunophorus grangeri, right M1 in occlusal view. (3) FOBU 6122, Diacodexis secans, left dentary m2-3 in occlusal view. (4) FOBU 6123, Hexacodus uintensis, right dentary p4-m2 in occlusal (top) and lingual (bottom) views. Scale bars=5 mm.

1914 Wasatchia grangeri Reference SinclairSinclair, p. 269

Holotype

AMNH 15516, left and right dentaries, Gray Bull beds, middle Wasatchian (Wa3-5), Willwood Formation, Bighorn Basin, Wyoming.

Occurrence

Localities FB-11, 13, 16, 19, 27, late middle early Eocene, Wasatchian biochronologic zone Wa-6, main body, Wasatch Formation, Fossil Basin, Lincoln County, Wyoming.

Remarks

These specimens represent a relatively small species of Bunophorus. They agree in size and morphology with B. grangeri (Stucky and Krishtalka, Reference Stucky and Krishtalka1990).

Measurements

FOBU 6410: M1 = 5.8 x 6.8; FOBU 6441: P3 = 5.4 x 4.6.

Genus Diacodexis Cope, Reference Cope1882e

Type species

Pantolestes secans Cope, Reference Cope1881, Wind River Basin, Wyoming.

Diacodexis secans (Cope, Reference Cope1881)

Figure 10.3

1881 Pantolestes secans Reference CopeCope, p. 187

Holotype

AMNH 4899, left and right dentaries p4-m3, Wasatchian Biochron Wa6, Wind River Formation, Wind River Basin, Wyoming.

Occurrence

Localities FB-1, 5, 16, 19, 27, late middle early Eocene, Wasatchian biochronologic zone Wa-6 (FB-5, 16, 19, 27) and late early Eocene, Wasatchian biochronologic zone Wa-7 (FB-1), main body, Wasatch Formation, Fossil Basin, Lincoln County, Wyoming.

Remarks

Diacodexis secans is the most common dichobunid artiodactyl known in Wa-6–Wa-7 (Krishtalka and Stucky, Reference Krishtalka and Stucky1985). These specimens agree in size and morphology with this species.

Measurements

FOBU 6122: m2 = 4.2 x 3.5; FOBU 6279: M1 = 4.1 x 4.9; FOBU 6337: M1 = 4.2 x 5.2; FOBU 6416: m1 = 4.2 x 3.5; FOBU 6421: M1 = 4.3 x 5.3; FOBU 6446: M3 = 3.4 x 5.1.

Family Homacodontidae Marsh, Reference Marsh1894

Genus Hexacodus Gazin, Reference Gazin1952

Type species

Hexacodus pelodes Gazin, Reference Gazin1952, Green River Basin, Wyoming.

Hexacodus uintensis Gazin, Reference Gazin1952

Figure 10.4

1952 Hexacodus uintensis Reference GazinGazin, p. 76, Pl. 11, fig. 4

1962 Hexacodus uintensis, Reference GazinGazin, p. 85, Pl. 14, fig. 5

Holotype

USNM 16175, left dentary m1-2, Wasatchian Biochron Wa6, Wasatch Formation, Green River Basin, 3 miles NW of Fossil Station, Wyoming.

Occurrence

Localities FB-11, 16, 19, 24, 27, late middle early Eocene, Wasatchian biochronologic zone Wa-6, main body, Wasatch Formation, Fossil Basin, Lincoln County, Wyoming.

Remarks

Hexacodus uintensis was described by Gazin (Reference Gazin1952) based on a single specimen (YPM-PU 16175) from three miles northwest of Fossil, Wyoming. Gazin (Reference Gazin1962) later described another specimen of H. uintensis (USNM 22250) from Fossil Butte and noted that two other specimens, one from Knight Station and the other from the Bighorn Basin, might represent this species as well. The specimens assigned here expand the sample of this rare artiodactyl.

FOBU 6123 includes the first p4 known for H. uintensis. It differs from p4 in H. pelodes in being laterally compressed anteriorly, with the talonid being broader than the anterior part of the tooth. It also has a stronger paracristid that developed a small accessory cuspule close to the anterior flank of the protoconid unlike H. pelodes. The p4 of H. uintensis has a small anterobuccal cingulid, which is lacking in H. pelodes. Unlike that species, the p4 of H. uintensis lacks an entoconid cusp.

Measurements

FOBU 6449: m2 = 4.4 x 3.6; FOBU 6228: M1 = 4.2 x 5.1; FOBU 6123: p4 = 4.9 x 2.7, m1 = 4.4 x 3.1; FOBU 6327: M1 = 4.6 x 5.6.