Alforjas

Alforjas is an extinct genus of terrestrial herbivore the family Camelidae, endemic to North America during the Miocene through Pliocene 10.30—5.3 mya existing for approximately 5 million years.^[1]

Taxonomy

Alforjas was named by Harrison (1979). Its type is Alforjas taylori. It was assigned to Camelidae by Harrison (1979) and Carroll (1988).^[2] They are most closely related to Camelops.

Etymology

Alfrojas is Spanish for the saddle bags used on domestic llamas. The name has a regional association with the meaning of humps or lumps. ^[3]

is the Spanish name for the panniers or saddlebags used on the domestic lama; it also carriesa regional, colloquial meaning of lumps orhumps.

Morphology

A single specimen was examined for estimated body mass by M. Mendoza, C. M. Janis, and P. Palmqvist. The specimen was estimated to weigh 623.3 kg (1,400 lb).^[4] lf orjas differs from Pliauchenia, Hemiau-chenia, Palaeolama, and Lama in its greaterheight of crown, larger size, and longer rostrum. This genus differs in its larger crown height, greater size, and enlarged rostrum. ^[5]

lf orjas differs from Pliauchenia, Hemiau-chenia, Palaeolama, and Lama in its greaterheight of crown, larger size, and longer rostrum. lf orjas differs from Pliauchenia, Hemiau-chenia, Palaeolama, and Lama in its greaterheight of crown, larger size, and longer rostrum.

References