Buronius is an extinct genus of hominid from the late Miocene Hammerschmiede clay pit of Bavaria, Germany. The genus contains a single species, B. manfredschmidi, known from two partial teeth and a patella. Buronius may represent the smallest known hominid. The more well-known great ape Danuvius is known from the same locality.

Buronius
Temporal range: late Miocene, 11.62 Ma
Fossil teeth assigned to Buronius
Scientific classification Edit this classification
Domain: Eukaryota
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Class: Mammalia
Order: Primates
Suborder: Haplorhini
Infraorder: Simiiformes
Family: Hominidae
Genus: Buronius
Böhme et al., 2024
Species:
B. manfredschmidi
Binomial name
Buronius manfredschmidi
Böhme et al., 2024

Discovery and naming

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The Buronius holotype specimen, GPIT/MA/13005, was discovered in 2011 in sediments of the Hammerschmiede clay pit (HAM 5 level) near Pforzen in the Allgäu region of Bavaria, Germany. The holotype consists of a second molar crown without a root. A fragment of the fourth premolar (GPIT/MA/13004), discovered in 2017, and a left patella (GPIT/MA/10007), also discovered in 2011 near the holotype, were both assigned as paratypes.[1]

In 2024, Böhme et al. described Buronius manfredschmidi as a new genus and species of early hominid based on these fossil remains. The generic name, Buronius, references "Buron", the named used in medieval times for Kaufbeuren, a city near the type locality. The specific name, manfredschmidi, honours fossil collector Manfred Schmid.[1]

As the Buronius fossil material is very fragmentary—especially in comparison to the coeval hominid Danuvius—some researchers have expressed concern regarding the taxon's validity, explaining that additional bones would be needed to confidently distinguish the two genera.[2]

 
Fossil patella from a juvenile Buronius individual

Description

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Weighing an estimated 10 kilograms (22 lb), Buronius likely represents the smallest hominid taxon currently known.[1]

References

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  1. ^ a b c Böhme, M.; Begun, D. R.; Holmes, A. C.; Lechner, T.; Ferreira, G. (2024-06-07). "Buronius manfredschmidi—A new small hominid from the early late Miocene of Hammerschmiede (Bavaria, Germany)". PLOS One. 19 (6): e0301002. doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0301002. ISSN 1932-6203. PMC 11161025. PMID 38848328.
  2. ^ Ashworth, James (2024-06-07). "World's smallest great ape may have lived in Europe, researchers claim". Natural History Museum. Retrieved 2024-06-08.