Amynodontidae

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Amynodontids
Temporal range: Late Eocene–Early Miocene
Scientific classification Edit this classification
Domain: Eukaryota
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Class: Mammalia
Order: Perissodactyla
Superfamily: Rhinocerotoidea
Family: Amynodontidae
Scott & Osborn, 1883[1]
Type genus
Amynodon
Marsh, 1877[3]
Genera[2]

See text

Range of Amynodontidae based on fossil record
MHNT
Zaisanamynodon protheroi

Amynodontidae ("defensive tooth")

rhinoceroses. They are commonly portrayed as semiaquatic hippo-like rhinos[6][7] but this description only fits members of the Metamynodontini; other groups of amynodonts like the cadurcodontines had more typical ungulate proportions and convergently evolved a tapir-like proboscis
.

The Greek name of the family describes their tusks, derived from enlarged canine teeth. Odd-toed ungulates are herbivores, so these tusks would have been used either to deter or defend against predators (as suggested by the name) or perhaps in fights among males.[8]

Their fossils have been found in

Late Oligocene in South Asia (Pakistan).[9] The genus Metamynodon may have survived into the early Miocene.[citation needed
]

Taxonomy

Amynodontidae

References

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  3. ^ Marsh, O. C. (1877). "Notice of some new Vertebrate Fossils". The American Journal of Science and Arts. Ser. 3. 14 (81): 251–252.
  4. ^ "Glossary | Perissodactyl". research.amnh.org. Retrieved 29 June 2023.
  5. ^ https://logeion.uchicago.edu/%E1%BC%80%CE%BC%CF%8D%CE%BD%CF%89
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  8. ^ "Horns, Tusks, and Flippers: The Evolution of Hoofed Mammals" (PDF). rhinoresourcecenter.com. Retrieved 29 June 2023.
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  12. ^ Huang, X.; Wang, J. (January 2001). "New materials of tapiroid and rhinocerotoid remains (Mammalia, Perissodactyla) from the Middle Eocene of Yuanqu Basin, Central China". Vertebrata PalAsiatica. 39 (3): 197–203. Retrieved 14 August 2020.
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