Amynodontids Temporal range:
| |
---|---|
Scientific classification | |
Domain: | Eukaryota |
Kingdom: | Animalia |
Phylum: | Chordata |
Class: | Mammalia |
Order: | Perissodactyla |
Superfamily: | Rhinocerotoidea |
Family: | †
Amynodontidae Scott & Osborn, 1883 [1] |
Type genus | |
†
Amynodon | |
Genera [2] | |
See text | |
Range of Amynodontidae based on fossil record |
Amynodontidae ("defensive tooth") [4] [5] is a family of extinct perissodactyls related to true rhinoceroses. They are commonly portrayed as semiaquatic hippo-like rhinos [6] [7] 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.
The Greek name of the family describes their tusks, derived from enlarged canine teeth. Odd-toed ungulates are herbivores, so these tusks would have been used either to deter or defend against predators (as suggested by the name) or perhaps in fights among males. [8]
Their fossils have been found in North America, and Eurasia 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). [9] The genus Metamynodon may have survived into the early Miocene.[ citation needed]
†Amynodontidae
Amynodontids Temporal range:
| |
---|---|
Scientific classification | |
Domain: | Eukaryota |
Kingdom: | Animalia |
Phylum: | Chordata |
Class: | Mammalia |
Order: | Perissodactyla |
Superfamily: | Rhinocerotoidea |
Family: | †
Amynodontidae Scott & Osborn, 1883 [1] |
Type genus | |
†
Amynodon | |
Genera [2] | |
See text | |
Range of Amynodontidae based on fossil record |
Amynodontidae ("defensive tooth") [4] [5] is a family of extinct perissodactyls related to true rhinoceroses. They are commonly portrayed as semiaquatic hippo-like rhinos [6] [7] 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.
The Greek name of the family describes their tusks, derived from enlarged canine teeth. Odd-toed ungulates are herbivores, so these tusks would have been used either to deter or defend against predators (as suggested by the name) or perhaps in fights among males. [8]
Their fossils have been found in North America, and Eurasia 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). [9] The genus Metamynodon may have survived into the early Miocene.[ citation needed]
†Amynodontidae