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Amynodontidae
Amynodontidae ("defensive tooth") is a family of extinct perissodactyls related to true rhinoceroses. They are commonly portrayed as semiaquatic hippo-like rhinos 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.http://www.rhinoresourcecenter.com/pdf_files/141/1415340780.pdf 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). The genus ''Metamynodon'' may have survived into the early Miocene. Taxono ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Metamynodon
''Metamynodon'' is an extinct genus of Amynodontidae, amynodont Rhinocerotoidea, rhino that lived in North America (White River Fauna) and Asia from the late Eocene until early Oligocene, although the questionable inclusion of ''M. mckinneyi'' could extend their range to the Middle Eocene. The various species were large, displaying a suit of semiaquatic adaptations similar to those of the modern hippopotamus despite their closer affinities with rhinoceroses. Taxonomy ''Metamynodon'' is a member of the extinct family Amynodontidae, sometimes called "swamp rhinos" as they were once all believed to be semi-aquatic. It is split into two tribe (biology), tribes: the semi-aquatic Metamynodontini–''Paramynodon'', ''Sellamynodon'', ''Megalamynodon'', and ''Metamynodon''–and the tapir-like Cadurcodontini–''Procadurcodon'', ''Zaisanamynodon'', ''Cadurcodon'', and ''Cadurcotherium''. The Metamynodontini are found across the world, with ''Paramynodon'' from Myanmar, ''Sellamynodon'' fr ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
