Hapalodectidae
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| Hapalodectids Fossil range: Late Paleocene to Middle Eocene |
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 Hapalodectes serus
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Hapalodectes |
Hapalodectidae (literally "Soft Biters" hapalos = "soft, tender," dêktês = "biter") is an extinct family of relatively small-bodied (1-8kg)[1] mesonychian placental mammals from the Paleocene and Eocene of North America and Asia.[2] Hapalodectids differ from the larger and better-known mesonychids in having teeth specialized for cutting (presumably meat), while the teeth of other mesonychids, such as Mesonyx or Sinonyx, are more specialized for crushing bones.[1] Hapalodectids were once considered a subfamily of Mesonychidae,[3] but the discovery of a skull of Hapalodectes hetangensis showed additional differences justifying placement in a distinct family.[4] In particular, H. hetangensis has a postorbital bar closing the back of the orbit,[4] a feature lacking in mesonychids. The skeleton of hapalodectids is poorly known and of the post-cranial elements, only the humerus has been described. The morphology of this bone indicates less specialization for terrestrial locomotion than in mesonychids.[5]
[edit] References
- ^ a b Gunnell, G.R. and P.D. Gingerich (1989). "New hapalodectid Hapalorestes lovei (Mammalia, Mesonychia) from the early middle Eocene of northwestern Wyoming". Contributions from the Museum of Paleontology, The University of Michigan 29 (15): 413–418.
- ^ McKenna, M. C, and S. K. Bell (1997). Classification of Mammals Above the Species Level. Columbia University Press. ISBN 023111012X.
- ^ Szaalay, F.S. and S.J. Gould (1966). "Asiatic Mesonychidae (Mammalia, Condylarthra)". Bulletin of the American Museum of Natural History 132 (2): 127–174.
- ^ a b Ting, S. and C. Li (1987). "The skull of Hapalodectes (?Acreodi, Mammalia), with notes on some Chinese Paleocene mesonychids". Vertebrata PalAsiatica 25: 161–186.
- ^ O'Leary, M.A. (1998). "Morphology of the humerus of Hapalodectes (Mammalia, Mesonychia)". American Museum Novitates 3242: 1–6.
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