Rytiodus

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iRytiodus
Fossil range: Miocene
Conservation status
Extinct (fossil)
Scientific classification
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Class: Mammalia
Order: Sirenia
Family: Dugongidae
Genus: Rytiodus
Species: R. capgrandi
Binomial name
Rytiodus capgrandi
Lartet, 1866

Rytiodus capgrandi is an extinct genus of sirenian.

With a length of 6 m (20 ft), Rytiodus was about twice the size as modern sirenians, surpassed only by the Steller's sea cow, which was up to 8 m (27 ft) long. Like its closest modern relatives, the dugongs, Rytiodus had a pair flippers, a streamlined body and a tail fin. Its flattened snout allowed it to feed in shallow coastal waters. Unlike modern sirenians, Rytiodus had short tusks which it may have used to extract food from the sand.