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Hesperotherium
''Hesperotherium'' is a genus of chalicotheres from the Early to Middle Pleistocene of China. It was the last of the chalicotheres to ever exist. It belonged to the subfamily Chalicotheriinae, which also includes '' Anisodon'', ''Chalicotherium'' and '' Nestoritherium''. Etymology The genus name, ''Hesperotherium'', is derived from the Greek ''hesperos'', meaning "dusk" or "west" and ''therion'', meaning "beast". The specific name means "from China".'''' Palaeoecology ''Hesperotherium'' would have coexisted with the proboscidean ''Sinomastodon'', the giant ape ''Gigantopithecus,'' the pig '' Hippopotamodon'', the mouse-deer ''Dorcabune'', and the deer '' Cervavitus,'' as well as the pandas ''Ailuropoda wulingshanensis'' and ''Ailuropoda baconi,'' the dhole ''Cuon antiquus'', the tapir ''Tapirus sinensis'' and the proboscidean ''Stegodon''. Other classic animals typically include orangutans, macaques, rhinos, hedgehogs, hyenas, horses, the cow '' Leptobos'', pikas, the extin ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Chalicotheriinae
Chalicotheriines are one of the two subfamilies of the extinct family Chalicotheriidae, a group of herbivorous, odd-toed ungulate ''(perissodactyl)'' mammals that lived from the Eocene to the Pleistocene. The other subfamily is the Schizotheriinae. Chalcotheriines evolved unique characteristics for ungulates, with very long forelimbs, short hindlimbs, and a relatively gorilla-like physique, including knuckle-walking on their flexible forelimbs, which bore long curved claws. Members of this subfamily possessed some of the longest forelimbs and shortest hindlimbs in relation to each other out of all extinct animals. Analysis of dental wear implies that most chalicotheriines fed on seeds and fruit. Their claws were likely used in a hook-like manner to pull down branches, suggesting they lived as Bipedalism, bipedal Browsing (predation), browsers. Presence of chalicothere fossils is generally regarded as an indicator of forested environments. Unlike schizotheriines, chalicotheriines ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Gigantopithecus
''Gigantopithecus'' ( ; ) is an extinct genus of ape from roughly 2 million to 350,000 years ago during the Early to Middle Pleistocene of southern China, represented by one species, ''Gigantopithecus blacki''. Potential identifications have also been made in Thailand, Vietnam, and Indonesia. The first remains of ''Gigantopithecus'', two third molar teeth, were identified in a drugstore by anthropologist Ralph von Koenigswald in 1935, who subsequently described the ape. In 1956, the first mandible and more than 1,000 teeth were found in Liucheng, and numerous more remains have since been found in at least 16 sites. Only teeth and four mandibles are known currently, and other skeletal elements were likely consumed by porcupines before they could fossilise. ''Gigantopithecus'' was once argued to be a hominin, a member of the human line, but it is now thought to be closely allied with orangutans, classified in the subfamily Ponginae. ''Gigantopithecus'' has traditionally been r ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Early Pleistocene
The Early Pleistocene is an unofficial sub-epoch in the international geologic timescale in chronostratigraphy, being the earliest division of the Pleistocene Epoch within the ongoing Quaternary Period. It is currently estimated to span the time between 2.580 ± 0.005 Ma (million years ago) and 0.773 ± 0.005 Ma. The term Early Pleistocene applies to both the Gelasian Age (to 1.800 ± 0.005 Ma) and the Calabrian Age. While the Gelasian and the Calabrian have officially been defined by the International Union of Geological Sciences (IUGS) to effectively constitute the Early Pleistocene, the succeeding Chibanian and Tarantian ages have yet to be ratified. These proposed ages are unofficially termed the Middle Pleistocene and Late Pleistocene respectively. The Chibanian provisionally spans time from 773 ka to 126 ka, and the Tarantian from then until the definitive end of the whole Pleistocene, c. 9700 BC in the 10th millennium BC The 10th millennium BC spanned the ye ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Tapir
Tapirs ( ) are large, herbivorous mammals belonging to the family Tapiridae. They are similar in shape to a pig, with a short, prehensile nose trunk. Tapirs inhabit jungle and forest regions of South and Central America, with one species inhabiting Southeast Asia. They are one of three extant branches of Perissodactyla (odd-toed ungulates), alongside equines and rhinoceros. Only a single genus, ''Tapirus'' is currently extant. Tapirs migrated into South America during the Pleistocene epoch from North America after the formation of the Isthmus of Panama as part of the Great American Interchange. Tapirs were once widespread in North America until the arrival of humans at the end of the Late Pleistocene, around 12,000 years ago. Species There are four widely recognized extant species of tapir, all in the genus ''Tapirus'' of the family Tapiridae. They are the South American tapir, the Malayan tapir, Baird's tapir, and the mountain tapir. In 2013, a group of researchers ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Gaur
The gaur (''Bos gaurus''; ), also known as the Indian bison, is a bovine native to South Asia and Southeast Asia, and has been listed as Vulnerable on the IUCN Red List since 1986. The global population was estimated at a maximum of 21,000 mature individuals in 2016, with the majority of those existing in India. It has declined by more than 70% during the last three generations, and is extirpated from Sri Lanka and most likely Bangladesh. Populations in well-protected areas are stable and increasing. It is the largest species among the wild cattle and the Bovidae. The domesticated form of the gaur is called ''gayal'' (''Bos frontalis'') or ''mithun''. Taxonomy ''Bison gaurus'' was the scientific name proposed by Charles Hamilton Smith in 1827. Later authors subordinated the species under either ''Bos'' or ''Bibos''. To date, three gaur subspecies have been recognized: * ''B. g. gaurus'' ranges in India, Nepal and Bhutan; * ''B. g. readei'' described by Richard Lydekke ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Cervus
''Cervus'' is a genus of deer that primarily are native to Eurasia, although one species occurs in northern Africa and another in North America. In addition to the species presently placed in this genus, it has included a whole range of other species now commonly placed in other genera. Additionally, the species-level taxonomy is in a state of flux. Taxonomy Genus Until the 1970s, ''Cervus'' also included the members of the genera ''Axis'', '' Dama'', and ''Elaphurus'', and until the late 1980s, it included members of ''Rucervus'' and '' Rusa''. Species In the third edition of ''Mammal Species of the World'' from 2005, only the red deer (''C. elaphus'') and sika deer (''C. nippon'') were recognized as species in the genus ''Cervus''. Genetic and morphological evidence suggest more species should be recognized. For example, the species ''Cervus canadensis'' (elk/wapiti) is considered a separate species. Red deer species group Within the red deer species group, some sour ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Muntjac
Muntjacs ( ), also known as the barking deer or rib-faced deer, (URL is Google Books) are small deer of the genus ''Muntiacus'' native to South Asia and Southeast Asia. Muntjacs are thought to have begun appearing 15–35 million years ago, with remains found in Miocene deposits in France, Germany and Poland. Most species are listed as Least Concern or Data Deficient by the IUCN, although others such as the black muntjac, Bornean yellow muntjac, and giant muntjac are Vulnerable, Near Threatened, and Critically Endangered, respectively. Name The present name is a borrowing of the Latinized form of the Dutch , which was borrowed from the Sundanese ''mēncēk''. The Latin form first appeared as in Zimmerman in 1780. An erroneous alternative name of 'Mastreani deer' has its origins in a mischievous Wikipedia entry from 2011 and is incorrect. Description The present-day species are native to Asia and can be found in India, Sri Lanka, Myanmar, Vietnam, the Indonesian ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Pika
A pika ( or ; archaically spelled pica) is a small, mountain-dwelling mammal found in Asia and North America. With short limbs, very round body, an even coat of fur, and no external tail, they resemble their close relative, the rabbit, but with short, rounded ears. The large-eared pika of the Himalayas and nearby mountains is found at heights of more than , among the highest of any mammal. Pikas prefer rocky slopes and graze on a range of plants, mostly grasses, flowers and young stems. In the autumn they pull hay, soft twigs and other stores of food into their burrows to eat during the long, cold winter. The pika is also known as the whistling hare because of its high-pitched alarm call when diving into its burrow. The name ‘pika’ appears to be derived from the Tungus ''piika'', and the scientific name ''Ochotona'' is from the Mongolian word ''ogutun-a, оготно'', which means pika. It is used for any member of the Ochotonidae, a family within the order of lagomo ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Leptobos
''Leptobos'' is an extinct genus of large bovine, known from the Late Pliocene and Early Pleistocene of Eurasia, extending from the Iberian Peninsula to northern China. Species of ''Leptobos'' reached a weight up to 320 kg. ''Leptobos'' is considered to be closely related to the insular genus '' Epileptobos'' from the Pleistocene of Java'''', and is considered to be ancestral to ''Bison''. The dietary preference across the genus includes species that were browsers, grazers and mixed feeders (both browsing and grazing). The first appearance of ''Leptobos'' in Europe around 3.6-3.5 million years ago is considered to define the beginning of the Villafranchian Villafranchian age ( ) is a period of geologic time (3.5–1.0 Ma) spanning the Late Pliocene and Early Pleistocene used more specifically with European Land Mammal Ages. Named by Italian geologist Lorenzo Pareto for a sequence of terrestrial se ... European faunal stage. ''Leptobos'' became extinct after being replaced ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Equus (genus)
''Equus'' , is a genus of mammals in the family Equidae, which includes horses, donkeys, and zebras. Within the Equidae, ''Equus'' is the only recognized extant genus, comprising seven living species. Like Equidae more broadly, ''Equus'' has numerous extinct species known only from fossils. The genus most likely originated in North America and spread quickly to the Old World. Equines are odd-toed ungulates with slender legs, long heads, relatively long necks, manes (erect in most subspecies), and long tails. All species are herbivorous, and mostly grazers, with simpler digestive systems than ruminants but able to subsist on lower-quality vegetation. While the domestic horse and donkey (along with their feral descendants) exist worldwide, wild equine populations are limited to Africa and Asia. Wild equine social systems are in two forms; a harem system with tight-knit groups consisting of one adult male or stallion, several females or mares, and their young or foals; and a t ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Pachycrocuta
''Pachycrocuta'' is an extinct genus of prehistoric hyenas. The largest and most well-researched species is ''Pachycrocuta brevirostris'', colloquially known as the giant short-faced hyena as it stood about at the shoulder and it is estimated to have averaged in weight, approaching the size of a lioness, making it the largest known hyena. ''Pachycrocuta'' first appeared during the late Miocene ( Messinian, 7.2 to 5.3 million years agoA. Hill, G. Curtis, and R. Drake. 1986. Sedimentary stratigraphy of the Tugen Hills, Baringo, Kenya. Geological Society of America Special Publication 25:285-295). By 800,000 years ago, it became locally extinct in Europe and became completely extinct during the middle Pleistocene, 400,000 years ago. Taxonomy The first identified fossil of the short-faced hyena was discovered in Le Puy, Auvergne, France, in 1845 by French paleontologist Auguste Aymard. In 1850, French paleontologist Paul Gervais made it the holotype specimen of a new species, '' H ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Erinaceus
''Erinaceus'' is a genus of hedgehog from the family of Erinaceidae. There are four main species of ''Erinaceus''. The range is all across Europe, throughout the Middle East, parts of Russia, and extending to northern China and Korea. The European hedgehog (''Erinaceus europaeus'') has been introduced to New Zealand.Macdonald, David W. The Encyclopedia of Mammals. New York, NY: Facts on File, 1984 . Description As is characteristic of other hedgehogs, members of ''Erinaceus'' have spines. These spines are a modification of the hair that is formed and strengthened by keratin. They contain hollow air filled gaps separated by thin inner layers of the spine to lessen the weight load.Grzimek, Bernhard, Neil Schlager, Donna Olendorf, and Melissa C. McDade. Grzimek's Animal Life Encyclopedia. Vol. 13. Detroit: Thomson Gale, 2004. Every spine is tapered at the end to form a point and also at the base where it then forms a bulb that is attached to the skin. The tapering at the base allow ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
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