Makapansgat suids and Metridiochoerus
Date
2005
Authors
Cooke, H. B. S.
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
BERNARD PRICE INSTITUTE FOR PALAEONTOLOGICAL RESEARCH
Abstract
Fossil suid material from Member 3 of the Makapansgat Formation was described as Potamochoeroides shawi but some authors have
regarded it as an early stage of the Metridiochoerus andrewsi lineage. There is no complete cranium so a new reconstruction has been
based on combining the data from a number of partial specimens. Comparison with Metridiochoerus andrewsi is difficult as there are
reasons to suspect that the so-called ‘male’ and ‘female’ crania from Koobi Fora could be specifically distinct. An undescribed cranium
from the Omo Shungura Formation is morphologically similar to the ‘male’ and is attributed to Metridiochoerus jacksoni. Comparison
with the reconstructed Makapansgat suid indicates that the latter already shows an early stage in the distinctive architecture of the
M. jacksoni cranium, as well as some resemblances in dental features. Accordingly it is suggested that the Makapansgat suid be
designated as Metridiochoerus shawi. A few teeth from Member B11 of the Shungura Formation, with an age close to 2.95 Ma, are placed
provisionally as M. cf. shawi; previously described molars referred to an early Notochoerus scotti are probably from a similar level. While
this is suggestive, correlation is not firmly established.