ANTHRACOBUNE-AIJIENSIS NOV-SP (MAMMALIA, PROBOSCIDEA) FROM THE SUBATHU FORMATION, EOCENE FROM NW HIMALAYA, INDIA

A. aijiensis nov. sp., a new smaller species of Anthracobune PILGRIM, 1940 is reported from the Middle Eocene transitional part of the Subathu Formation of Kalakot, Jammu & Kashmir, India. It is closely related to other Indo-Pakistan anthracobunids but differs in possessing certain derived characters like nonmolarised premolars, reduced first premolars and lower canines (? or absent) and strong diastema between first lower premolar and anterior teeth. The new material supports Wells & Gingerich's (1983) proposal of a separate Family Anthracobunidae for Anthracobune and its allies and suggests its close alliance with moeritheriids. Ishatherium subathuensis SAHNI & KUMAR, 1980 is very similar to anthracobunids but it is retained in Sirenia on the basis of morphology of its molars and incisor tusk and its occurrence in marine Ypresian sediments. Thus the Family Anthracobunidae now includes Anthracobune aijiensis nov. sp., A. pinfoldi PILGRIM, 1940, Jozaria palustris WELLS & GINGERICH, 1983, Lammidhania wardi PILGRIM, 1940 and Pilgrimella pilgrimi DEHM & OETTINGEN-SPIELBERG, 1958. Pilgrimella is generically distinct and represents the most primitive anthracobunid. A. aijiensis nov. sp. appears to be the most advanced taxon among known anthracobunids. The amphibious nature and marshy habitat of anthracobunids as suggested by their dental morphology, host rock lithology, and the accompanying fauna indicate that the deposition of transitional part of the Subathu Formation may have taken place in coastal environment. This implies that the shoreline of rapidly contracting Tethys was close by, as is also evident from mixing of marine and terrestrial elements. The age of the land mammal yielding transitional part of Subathu sequence is considered as Lutetian on the basis of foraminiferal biostratigraphy and its correlationship with standard sections in Pakistan.