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''Embolotherium'' (Greek , + , "battering ram beast", or "wedge beast") is an extinct genus of brontothere that lived in Mongolia during the late Eocene epoch. It is most easily recognized by a large bony protuberance emanating from the anterior (front) of the skull. This resembles a battering ram, hence the name ''Embolotherium''. The animal is known from about 12 skulls, several jaws, and a variety of other skeletal elements from the
Another genus of brontothere, ''Titanodectes'', which was named for several lower jaws found in the same sedimentary deposits as ''Embolotherium'', probably represents the same beast as ''Embolotherium grangeri''. '' Protembolotherium'' is another closely related genus from the Middle Eocene, which is distinguished by a noticeably smaller ram.
Complete skeletons of ''Embolotherium'' have not yet been recovered. Based on the size its skull, up to 94 cm in greatest length, it was estimated to exceed the largest north american brontotheres in size. The latter having an estimated shoulder height of 8 feet and mass of at least 2800 kg. Unlike many of the other Late Eocene brontotheres, there is no clear evidence that ''Embolotherium'' was sexually dimorphic. All known specimens have large rams. Therefore, coupled with the fact that the rams were hollow and fragile in comparison to the solid and sturdy horns of the North American brontotheres, such as '' Megacerops'', it does not seem likely that the ram served as a weapon for contests between males. Rather, it might have had a non-sexual function, such as signaling to each other. The ram may have served as a specialized resonator for sound production. This hypothesis is suggested by the fact that the bony nasal cavity extends to the peak of the ram, thus implying that the nasal chamber was greatly elevated, possibly creating a resonating chamber.
BBC Online
{{Taxonbar, from=Q133204 Brontotheres Eocene mammals of Asia Fossils of China Taxa named by Henry Fairfield Osborn Brontotheres of Asia
Ulan Gochu
Ulan may refer to:
Places
*Ulan, New South Wales, a town in Australia
*Ulan County, in Qinghai Province, China
*Ulan District, eastern Kazakhstan
*Ulan, Iran, a village in Zanjan Province
People
*Ulan, politician from Inner Mongolia, China
Mili ...
formation of Inner Mongolia and the Irgilin Dzo of Outer Mongolia
Outer Mongolia was the name of a territory in the Manchu-led Qing dynasty of China from 1691 to 1911. It corresponds to the modern-day independent state of Mongolia and the Russian republic of Tuva. The historical region gained ''de facto' ...
.
Taxonomy
Several species of ''Embolotherium'' have been named, including ''Embolotherium andrewsi'', ''Embolotherium grangeri'', ''Embolotherium louksi'', ''Embolotherium ultimum'', ''Embolotherium ergilensi'', and ''Embolotherium efremovi''. However, only two species, ''Embolotherium andrewsi'' and ''Embolotherium grangeri'', appear to be valid. Other supposed species of ''Embolotherium'' are probably synonymous with these two species and were originally based on juvenile skulls, poorly preserved fossil material, or specimens that are not significantly different from either ''E. andrewsi'' or ''E. grangeri''.Another genus of brontothere, ''Titanodectes'', which was named for several lower jaws found in the same sedimentary deposits as ''Embolotherium'', probably represents the same beast as ''Embolotherium grangeri''. '' Protembolotherium'' is another closely related genus from the Middle Eocene, which is distinguished by a noticeably smaller ram.
Description
Complete skeletons of ''Embolotherium'' have not yet been recovered. Based on the size its skull, up to 94 cm in greatest length, it was estimated to exceed the largest north american brontotheres in size. The latter having an estimated shoulder height of 8 feet and mass of at least 2800 kg. Unlike many of the other Late Eocene brontotheres, there is no clear evidence that ''Embolotherium'' was sexually dimorphic. All known specimens have large rams. Therefore, coupled with the fact that the rams were hollow and fragile in comparison to the solid and sturdy horns of the North American brontotheres, such as '' Megacerops'', it does not seem likely that the ram served as a weapon for contests between males. Rather, it might have had a non-sexual function, such as signaling to each other. The ram may have served as a specialized resonator for sound production. This hypothesis is suggested by the fact that the bony nasal cavity extends to the peak of the ram, thus implying that the nasal chamber was greatly elevated, possibly creating a resonating chamber.
References
* Barry Cox, Colin Harrison, R.J.G. Savage, and Brian Gardiner. (1999): The Simon & Schuster Encyclopedia of Dinosaurs and Prehistoric Creatures: A Visual Who's Who of Prehistoric Life. Simon & Schuster. * David Norman. (2001): The Big Book of Dinosaurs. page 204, Walcome books.External links
BBC Online
{{Taxonbar, from=Q133204 Brontotheres Eocene mammals of Asia Fossils of China Taxa named by Henry Fairfield Osborn Brontotheres of Asia