Gliridae (Rodentia, Mammalia) from the Upper Pliocene of Tegelen (province of Limburg, The Netherlands)

Two species of dormouse have been found in the Upper Pliocene clays of Tegelen, Muscardinus pliocaenicus and Glirulus pusillus. The latter is the first record of this genus in The Netherlands. Muscardinus pliocaenicus shows derived characteristics and is close to the Recent hazelmouse M. avellanarius. The record of Glirulus pusillus is one of the last in Europe. Like the flying squirrel Hylopetes debruijni, also known from Tegelen, G. pussilus ranks among a group of Pliocene animals with its living relatives in Asia. Thus, there is an analogy with the Tertiary flora, which also has relicts in the same area.