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Merycochoerus

Extinct genus of mammals

Merycochoerus

Extinct genus of mammals

see text

  • Megoreodon
  • Paracotylops
  • Promerycochoerus
  • Superdesmatochoerus

Merycochoerus (Greek: "ruminant" (merux)-like "swine" (khoiros)) is an extinct genus of oreodont of the family Merycoidodontidae, endemic to North America. They lived during the Early Oligocene 33.9—30.8 mya, existing for approximately . Fossils are widespread through the western United States.

Restoration of ''M. carrikeri'' by [[Robert Bruce Horsfall
Restoration of ''M. proprius''

Merycochoerus was a cud-chewing plant-eater with a long face, tusk-like canine teeth, heavy body, long tail, short feet, and four-toed hooves. The 1 m long animals are thought to have been amphibious, as members of the genus possessed an elongated, barrel-shaped body and short limbs that are typical adaptations found in semi-aquatic mammals.

Species

  • M. carrikeri (syn. Promerycochoerus thomsoni)
  • M. chelydra (syn. Promerycochoerus barbouri)
  • M. magnus
  • M. matthewi
  • M. pinensis
  • M. proprius
  • M. superbus (syn. M. fricki, M. leidyi, M. macrostegus, M. montanus, M. temporalis, Promerycochoerus grandis, P. hatcheri, P. hollandi, P. inflatus, P. latidens, P. loomisi, P. lulli, P. marshi, P. microcephalus)
  • M. vantasselensis

Resources

References

  1. "Glossary. American Museum of Natural History".
  2. [https://paleobiodb.org/classic/checkTaxonInfo?taxon_no=42504 ''Merycochoerus'' at fossilworks]
  3. (1999). "The Marshall Illustrated Encyclopedia of Dinosaurs and Prehistoric Animals". Marshall Editions.
Info: Wikipedia Source

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oreodonts oligocene-artiodactyla burdigalian-genus-extinctions oligocene-mammals-of-north-america miocene-artiodactyla oligocene-genus-first-appearances miocene-mammals-of-north-america prehistoric-artiodactyla-genera fossil-taxa-described-in-1858
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