Conclusions

Based on metric comparisons with extant golden moles, fossil chrysochlorids from Langebaanweg show limited morphological variation and fit into three morphotypes, one similar in size to the extant Amblysomus hottentotus and two smaller ones closer to Chrysochloris asiatica (Figure 1). All craniodental material fits into the smaller groups. Specimens in the smaller size-morph resemble C. asiatica in showing an enlarged, club-like malleus, 10 teeth in each dental quadrant, protocones evident on upper P3 through M3, and lower molars without talonids. Specimens in the smaller size morph differ from one another in two respects that, in our view, justify assignment to two different species.

Chrysochloris arenosa sp. nov. is characterized by a relatively narrow distal margin of the humerus, with a length/distal width ratio of ca. 1.4, similar in proportion but absolutely larger than humeri of the extant Eremitalpa granti (Figure 2). It is further associated with C. asiatica-like maxillae and dentaries with an i2 that is only slightly larger than adjacent incisors and with a posterior cusp (Figure 4).

Chrysochloris bronneri sp. nov. is defined by two dentaries that show an enlarged, curved i2 without a posterior cusp and with a robust mandibular corpus (Figure 5). These dentaries are likely associated with the second most-common humeral morphotype that shows a wider distal humeral margin and correspondingly lower length/distal width ratio averaging ca. 1.2 (Figure 2). This is slightly greater than but close to the ratios present in N. julianae and C. asiatica.