| Sinclairomeryx Temporal range: 15.97–13.6 Ma | |
|---|---|
| |
| Reconstruction by WillemSvdMerwe | |
| Scientific classification | |
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Chordata |
| Class: | Mammalia |
| Family: | Palaeomerycidae |
| Genus: | †Sinclairomeryx Frick, 1937 |
| Species: | †S. riparius |
| Type species | |
| †Sinclairomeryx riparius Frick, 1937 | |
Sinclairomeryx is a genus of palaeomerycid ungulate from the Miocene Epoch of North America.
History[]
One specimen has been discovered in Saskatchewan, Canada, and 7 are known from Nebraska, USA. [1]
They have been discovered in the Sheep Creek Formation of Nebraska.
Description[]
Sinclairomeryx is an average sized ruminant.
Classification[]
Sinclairomeryx has been classified as part of the Palaeomerycidae and Dromomerycidae families. Dromomerycidae was once thought to be a subfamily of Palaeomerycid, but a study of the skull roof seperated the groups. Originally, C. Frick named three species in the genus. Now, only one species of Sinclairomeryx is known, making it monotypic.[2]
Paleobiology[]
The palaeomerycids were probably deer-like, browsing on vegetation in open woodland. The most iconic features of Sinclairomeryx are its two "C"-shaped horns, which were probably used for fighting like deer antlers.
References[]
- ↑ http://www.fossilworks.org/cgi-bin/bridge.pl?a=taxonInfo&taxon_no=42639
- ↑ D. R. Prothero and M. R. Liter. 2007. Family Palaeomerycidae. In D. R. Prothero, S. Foss (eds.), The Evolution of Artiodactyls 241-248
Gallery[]
TBA