Hypnomys

Hypnomys, otherwise known as Balearic giant dormice, is an extinct genus of dormouse, from the family Gliridae.[1] Its species are considered examples of insular gigantism.[2] They first appear in the fossil record during the Early Pliocene, presumably due to the Messinian salinity crisis causing a connection with mainland Europe, and disappear during the Holocene after human arrival on the Balearics. A 2020 mitochondrial DNA analysis found that its closest living relative was Eliomys, from which it diverged around 13.67 million years ago. The dental morphology of the earlier species is more complex than that of Eliomys, suggesting it is derived from Vasseuromys or a similar form, rather than an early diverging lineage within Eliomys.[3] A 2016 study found that H. onicensis could live over 10 years, far longer than related taxa.[4] This genus contains the following species:[5]

  • Hypnomys eliomyoides
  • Hypnomys mahonensis
  • Hypnomys morpheus
  • Hypnomys onycensis
  • Hypnomys waldreni

Hypnomys
Temporal range: Early Pliocene to Holocene
H. morpheus
Scientific classification
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Class: Mammalia
Order: Rodentia
Family: Gliridae
Subfamily: Leithiinae
Genus: †Hypnomys
Bate, 1918
Species
  • †H. eliomyoides
  • †H. mahonensis
  • †H. morpheus
  • †H. onycensis
  • †H. waldreni
Life restoration of H. morpheus
Skull and dentary of H. morpheus in various views

See also

References
  1. Bover, Pere; Alcover, Josep A.; Michaux, Jacques J.; Hautier, Lionel; Hutterer, Rainer (2010-12-31). "Body Shape and Life Style of the Extinct Balearic Dormouse Hypnomys (Rodentia, Gliridae): New Evidence from the Study of Associated Skeletons". PLOS ONE. 5 (12): e15817. Bibcode:2010PLoSO...515817B. doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0015817. ISSN 1932-6203. PMC 3013122. PMID 21209820.
  2. Orlandi-Oliveras, Guillem; Jordana, Xavier; Moncunill-Solé, Blanca; Köhler, Meike (2016-01-01). "Bone histology of the giant fossil dormouse Hypnomys onicensis (Gliridae, Rodentia) from Balearic Islands". Comptes Rendus Palevol. Current advances in paleohistology: A tribute to a generation of Frenchpaleohistologists. 15 (1–2): 238–244. doi:10.1016/j.crpv.2015.05.001.
  3. Bover, Pere; Mitchell, Kieren J.; Torres‐Roig, Enric; Llamas, Bastien; Thomson, Vicki A.; Alcover, Josep Antoni; Agustí, Jordi; Cooper, Alan; Pons, Joan (February 2020). "Ancient DNA from an extinct Mediterranean micromammal— Hypnomys morpheus (Rodentia: Gliridae)—Provides insight into the biogeographic history of insular dormice". Journal of Zoological Systematics and Evolutionary Research. 58 (1): 427–438. doi:10.1111/jzs.12343. ISSN 0947-5745.
  4. Orlandi-Oliveras, Guillem; Jordana, Xavier; Moncunill-Solé, Blanca; Köhler, Meike (January 2016). "Bone histology of the giant fossil dormouse Hypnomys onicensis (Gliridae, Rodentia) from Balearic Islands". Comptes Rendus Palevol. 15 (1–2): 238–244. doi:10.1016/j.crpv.2015.05.001.
  5. Geer, Alexandra van der; Lyras, George; Vos, John de; Dermitzakis, Michael (2011-02-14). Evolution of Island Mammals: Adaptation and Extinction of Placental Mammals on Islands. John Wiley & Sons. ISBN 9781444391282.


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