Amynodontidae

Amynodontidae
Temporal range: Late Eocene–Early Miocene
Gigantamynodon, Metamynodon, Cadurcodon
Scientific classification
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Class: Mammalia
Order: Perissodactyla
Superfamily: Rhinocerotoidea
Family: Amynodontidae
Genera[1]

see text

Range of Amynodontidae based on fossil record
Tooth paratype of Cadurcotherium nouletiMHNT
Zaisanamynodon protheroi

Amynodontidae ("threatening tooth")[2] is a family of extinct perissodactyls related to true rhinoceroses, they are commonly portrayed as semiaquatic hippo-like rhinos[3][4] but this description only fits members of the Metamynodontini, other groups of amynodonts like the cadurcodontines had more typical ungulate proportions and convergently evolved a tapir-like proboscis. Their fossils have been found in North America, Europe and Asia ranging in age from the Middle Eocene to the Early Oligocene, with a single genus (Cadurcotherium) surviving into the Late Oligocene in South Asia (Pakistan).[5]

Taxonomy

Amynodontidae

References

  1. McKenna, M. C; S. K. Bell (1997). Classification of Mammals Above the Species Level. Columbia University Press. ISBN 0-231-11012-X.
  2. American Museum of Natural History, "Perissodactyls Glossary"
  3. Savage, RJG; Long, MR (1986). Mammal Evolution: an illustrated guide. New York: Facts on File. p. 194. ISBN 0-8160-1194-X.
  4. Palmer, D., ed. (1999). The Marshall Illustrated Encyclopedia of Dinosaurs and Prehistoric Animals. London: Marshall Editions. p. 264. ISBN 1-84028-152-9.
  5. Wall, William P. (1989). "The phylogenetic history and adaptive radiation of the Amynodontidae". In Prothero, Donald R; Schoch, Robert M. The Evolution of perissodactyls. Oxford University Press. ISBN 9780195060393.
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