Chalicotheriinae

Chalicotheriinae
Chalicotheriinae
Temporal range: Late Miocene to Early Pliocene
Anisodon grande, formerly Chalicotherium grande
Conservation status
Fossil
Scientific classification
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Class: Mammalia
Order: Perissodactyla
Suborder: †Ancylopoda
Superfamily: †Chalicotherioidea
Family: †Chalicotheriidae
Subfamily: †Chalicotheriinae
Holland and Peterson, 1914
Genera

Chalicotheriines make up an extinct subfamily of the family Chalicotheriidae, a group of herbivorous, odd-toed ungulate (perissodactyl) mammals. Characteristic of this group is an unusual, gorilla-like body plan with very long forelimbs, short hindlimbs, and a partial knuckle-walking position. Analysis of dental microwear implies most chalicotheriines fed on hard fruit and/or seeds. Their claws were most likely used in a hook-like manner to pull down branches, suggesting they lived as bipedal browsers. Presence of chalicotheriine fossils is generally regarded as an indicator of treed environments.[1]

References

  1. ^ Coombs, Margery C. (13 Feb 2009). "The chalicothere Metaschizotherium bavaricum (Perissodactyla, Chalicotheriidae, Schizotheriinae) from the Miocene (MN5) Lagerstatte of Sandelzhausen (Germany): description, comparison, and paleoecological significance". Paläontologische Zeitschrift (Springer Berlin / Heidelberg) 83 (1): 85–129. doi:10.1007/s12542-009-0004-x. http://www.springerlink.com/content/y4j07463lw037161/. Retrieved 2009-12-29. 

See also

Abyssal Brachiopod 00148.jpg Palaeontology portal


This prehistoric odd-toed ungulate-related article is a stub. You can help Wikipedia by expanding it.