Elomeryx

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Elomeryx
Fossil range: Middle Eocene to Early Oligocene
Elomeryx armatus
Elomeryx armatus
Scientific classification
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Class: Mammalia
Order: Artiodactyla
Family: †Anthracotheriidae
Subfamily: †Bothriodontinae
Genus: †Elomeryx
Marsh, 1894
Type species
†Elomeryx armatus
Species
  • †E. armatus
  • †E. borbonicus
  • †E. cluai
  • †E. crispus
  • †E. garbanii

Elomeryx is an extinct genus of artiodactyl ungulate, and is among the earliest known anthracotheres. The genus was extremely widespread, first being found in Asia in the middle Eocene, in Europe during the latest Eocene, and having spread to North America by the early Oligocene.[1]

The 1.50 m (5 ft) long creature had small tusks which it used to uproot plants, and spoon-shaped incisors ideal for pulling and cropping water plants. Elomeryx had five-toed hind legs and four-toed front legs, resulting in wide feet which made it easier to walk on soft mud.

[edit] References

  1. ^ Ducrocq, S. & F. Lihoreau (2006). "The occurrence of bothriodontines (Artiodactyla, Mammalia) in the Paleogene of Asia with special reference to Elomeryx: Paleobiogeographical implications". Journal of Asian Earth Sciences 27 (6): 885–891. doi:10.1016/j.jseaes.2005.09.004. 
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