Hyrachyus

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Hyrachyus
Fossil range: Eocene
Hyrachyus minimus
Hyrachyus minimus
Scientific classification
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Class: Mammalia
Order: Perissodactyla
Family: Hyrachyidae
Genus: Hyrachyus
Leidy, 1871
Species
  • H. affinis
  • H. bicornutus
  • H. douglassi
  • H. eximius
  • H. modestus
  • H. minimus
  •  ?H. stehlini

Hyrachyus is an extinct genus of perissodactyl mammal that lived in Eocene Europe.

The 1.50 m (5 ft) long beast was related to palaeotheres, and suspected to be the ancestor of modern tapirs and rhinoceroses. Physically, it would have looked very similar to modern tapirs, although it probably lacked the tapir's characteristic proboscis. It's teeth, however, resembled those of a rhino, supporting the idea of its relationship with that group[1].

[edit] References

  1. ^ Savage, RJG, & Long, MR (1986). Mammal Evolution: an illustrated guide. New York: Facts on File, 191. ISBN 0-8160-1194-X. 
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