New specimens of Anthracotheriidae (Brachyodus, Masrimeryx) from Early Miocene localities near Eggenburg, Lower Austria

The Early Miocene anthracotheres from the Austrian Paratethyan Eggenburgian deposits of the Eggenburg Marine Bay have proven to be of great interest for taxonomy and biostratigraphy. The discovery of specimens in the region of Eggenburg led to the erection of the genus Brachyodus in 1895, and their association with marine fossils in the subjacent deposits helped to establish their biostratigraphic position within the Eggenburgian stratigraphic interval, which has generally been correlated to the Burdigalian of France and elsewhere in Europe. Even though the quantity of material is limited, the fossils continue to throw light on the morphology and taxonomy of the group, this paper dealing with some undescribed cranial and mandibular fossils that provide evidence concerning the tusk-like teeth of these anthracotheres. The said teeth are incisors, and not canines. The upper tusk-like tooth is the central incisor, whereas the lower one is the second incisor, and it is inserted in the antero-lateral corner of the fully fused symphysis. Metric analysis of the teeth indicates the presence of three species of anthracothere in the Austrian deposits, two of which are attributed to Brachyodus and one to Masrimeryx. A general revision of all the Austrian dento-gnathic material of these large-bodied hydrophile mammals is provided.