Amynodontidae

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Amynodontidae
Fossil range: Late Eocene to Early Miocene

Gigantamynodon, Metamynodon, Cadurcodon

Kingdom:	Animalia
Phylum:	Chordata
Class:	Mammalia
Order:	Perissodactyla
Family:	†Amynodontidae

Genera^[1]

†Amynodon
†Amynodontopsis
†Armania
†Cadurcamynodon
†Cadurcodon
†Cadurcopsis
†Cadurcotherium
†Caenolophus
†Euryodon
†Gigantamynodon
†Hypsamynodon
†Lushiamynodon
†Megalamynodon
†Mesamynodon
†Metamynodon
†Paramynodon
†Penetrigonias
†Procadurcodon
†Rostriamynodon
†Sharamynodon
†Sianodon
†Teilhardia
†Toxotherium
†Zaisanamynodon

The Amynodonts were a group of hippo-like perissodactyls, related to true rhinoceri, that were descended from the Hyracodontidae. They ranged from North America, Europe and Asia. The last species died out during the early Miocene of North America, due to competition with the true rhinoceros Teleoceras. Although more closely related to rhinoceroses, they had an appearance closer to modern hippos, with large, curved, canine teeth, and probably lived in a semi-aquatic habitat^[2]^[3]. Some amynodonts, such as Cadurcodon, had an appearance closer to that of tapirs.

The most famous, and longest-lived genus is Metamynodon, which first appeared during the Late Eocene in Central Asia, and eventually died out during the early Miocene in North America, long after all other amynodont genera died out in Eurasia by the late Oligocene.

[edit] References

^ McKenna, M. C, and S. K. Bell (1997). Classification of Mammals Above the Species Level. Columbia University Press. ISBN 023111012X.
^ Savage, RJG, & Long, MR (1986). Mammal Evolution: an illustrated guide. New York: Facts on File, 194. ISBN 0-8160-1194-X.
^ (1999) in Palmer, D.: The Marshall Illustrated Encyclopedia of Dinosaurs and Prehistoric Animals. London: Marshall Editions, 264. ISBN 1-84028-152-9.