The largest record of the minute beaver <i>Euroxenomys minutus</i> (Mammalia, Castoridae) from the early Late Miocene hominid locality Hammerschmiede (Bavaria, Southern Germany) and palaeoecological considerations

In this study, we describe the dental remains of a very minute beaver from early Late Miocene locality Hammerschmiede (MN 7/8) located at Northern Alpine Foreland Basin (Southern Germany, Bavaria). The finds represent so far most comprehensive (>1.000 specimens) collection trogontheriine castorid Euroxenomys minutus. Metrically and morphologically, large data set demonstrates an extensive intraspecific variability that covers other European localities confirms previous species assignments. subspecies minutus rhenanus Dorn-Dürkheim (Germany), clearly isolates range variation can thus be validated. performed age-frequency distributions for local stratigraphic levels HAM 5 (rivulet) 4 (river) correspond roughly also resemble swamp deposit Rudabánya (Hungary). Since mortality studies on occurring larger Steneofiber depereti demonstrated dominance behavioural or internal factors, cross-ecosystem similarity in small is likely explained by external such as predation. Supported taphonomic bone analysis, multitude predators are finally considered to prey indicate predatory assemblage.