Amynodontidae

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.

Amynodontids
Temporal range:
Scientific classification Edit this classification
Domain: Eukaryota
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Class: Mammalia
Order: Perissodactyla
Superfamily: Rhinocerotoidea
Family: †Amynodontidae
Scott & Osborn, 1883[1]
Type genus
†Amynodon
Marsh, 1877[2]
Genera[3]

See text

Range of Amynodontidae based on fossil record
Tooth paratype of Cadurcotherium nouleti – MHNT
Zaisanamynodon protheroi

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.

Taxonomy

†Amynodontidae

  • Subfamily Amynodontinae
  • Subfamily incertae sedis
    • Genus Amynodontopsis[10]
    • Genus Armania[11]
    • Genus Cadurcotherium[10]
    • Genus Caenolophus[12]
    • Genus Hypsamynodon[10]
    • Genus Megalamynodon[10]
    • Genus Penetrigonias[13]
    • Genus Procadurcodon[10]
    • Genus Rostriamynodon[14]
    • Genus Teilhardia[14]

References
  1. Scott, W. B.; Osborn, Henry F. (1883). "On the Skull of the Eocene Rhinoceros, Orthocynodon, and the Relation of this Genus to other Members of the Group". Contributions from the E. M. Museum of Geology and Archæology of Princeton College. 3: 1–22. hdl:2027/mdp.39015057223565.
  2. Marsh, O. C. (1877). "Notice of some new Vertebrate Fossils". The American Journal of Science and Arts. Ser. 3. 14 (81): 251–252.
  3. McKenna, M. C.; S. K. Bell (1997). Classification of Mammals Above the Species Level. Columbia University Press. ISBN 0-231-11012-X.
  4. "Glossary | Perissodactyl". research.amnh.org. Retrieved 29 June 2023.
  5. https://logeion.uchicago.edu/%E1%BC%80%CE%BC%CF%8D%CE%BD%CF%89
  6. Savage, RJG; Long, MR (1986). Mammal Evolution: an illustrated guide. New York: Facts on File. pp. 194. ISBN 0-8160-1194-X.
  7. Palmer, D., ed. (1999). The Marshall Illustrated Encyclopedia of Dinosaurs and Prehistoric Animals. London: Marshall Editions. p. 264. ISBN 1-84028-152-9.
  8. "Horns, Tusks, and Flippers: The Evolution of Hoofed Mammals" (PDF). rhinoresourcecenter.com. Retrieved 29 June 2023.
  9. Wall, William P. (1989). "The phylogenetic history and adaptive radiation of the Amynodontidae". In Prothero, Donald R.; Schoch, Robert M. (eds.). The Evolution of perissodactyls. Oxford University Press. ISBN 9780195060393.
  10. Averianov, A.; Danilov, I.; et al. (2017). "A new amynodontid from the Eocene of South China and phylogeny of Amynodontidae (Perissodactyla: Rhinocerotoidea)". Journal of Systematic Palaeontology. 15 (11): 927–945. doi:10.1080/14772019.2016.1256914. S2CID 89118812.
  11. von Koenigswald, W.; Holbrook, L.T.; et al. (March 2011). "Diversity and Evolution of Hunter-Schreger Band Configuration in Tooth Enamel of Perissodactyl Mammals". Acta Palaeontologica Polonica. 56 (1): 11–32. doi:10.4202/app.2010.0021. S2CID 33679289.
  12. Huang, X.; Wang, J. (January 2001). "New materials of tapiroid and rhinocerotoid remains (Mammalia, Perissodactyla) from the Middle Eocene of Yuanqu Basin, Central China". Vertebrata PalAsiatica. 39 (3): 197–203. Retrieved 14 August 2020.
  13. Antoine, P.; Ducrocq, S.; et al. (2003). "Early rhinocerotids (Mammalia: Perissodactyla) from South Asia and a review of the Holarctic Paleogene rhinocerotid record". Canadian Journal of Earth Sciences. 40 (3): 365–374. Bibcode:2003CaJES..40..365A. doi:10.1139/e02-101.
  14. Wall, W.P.; Manning, E. (July 1986). "Rostriamynodon grangeri n. gen., n. sp. of amynodontid (Perissodactyla, Rhinocerotoidea) with comments on the phylogenetic history of Eocene Amynodontidae". Journal of Paleontology. 60 (4): 911–919. Bibcode:1986JPal...60..911W. doi:10.1017/S0022336000043079. JSTOR 1305081. S2CID 59363111.


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