The skull of Stephanorhinus kirchbergensis (Jager, 1839) (Mammalia, Rhinocerotidae) from Spinadesco (Cremona, Lombardia, Northern Italy): morphological analyses and taxonomical remarks - an opportunity for revising the three other skulls from the Po Valley

摘要

The exceptional discovery of a complete and extraordinary well-preserved skull of Stephanorhinus kirchbergensis (Jager, 1839) on an alluvial bar of the Po river near Spinadesco (Cremona, Lombardia, Northern Italy) in July 2013 presented us with the opportunity for reporting on the specimen. The thorough morphometric and morphological analyses carried out on the specimen (dentition included) revealed typical characteristics of S kirchbergensis - also known as "Merck's rhinoceros". These peculiar tracts highlighted distinctive taxonomic characteristics which are useful for reassessing the classifications of the specimens found in adjacent areas up to now.