Miotylopus

Miotylopus
Miotylopus
Temporal range: Oligocene–Miocene
Conservation status
Fossil
Scientific classification
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Class: Mammalia
Order: Artiodactyla
Suborder: Ruminantia
Family: Camelidae
Genus: Miotylopus
Schlaikjer, 1935
Species
  • M. gibbi
  • M. leonardi
  • M. taylori

Miotylopus is an extinct genus of terrestrial herbivore the family Camelidae, endemic to North America from the Late Oligocene through Early Miocene 24.8—20.6 mya, existing for approximately 4.2 million years.[1]

Contents

Taxonomy

Miotylopus was named by Schlaikjer (1935). It is not extant. Its type is Miotylopus bathygnathus. It was assigned to Camelidae by Schlaikjer (1935) and Carroll (1988).[2]

Morphology

Four specimens were examined for estimated body mass by M. Mendoza, C. M. Janis, and P. Palmqvist. These specimens were estimated to weigh:

  • 77.0 kg (170 lb)
  • 75.6 kg (170 lb)
  • 59.7 kg (130 lb)
  • 53.8 kg (120 lb) [3]

Fossil distribution

Fossil distribution is restricted to Wyoming and Nebraska to Southern California.

References

  1. ^ PaleoBiology Database: Gigantocamelus, basic info
  2. ^ R. L. Carroll. 1988. Vertebrate Paleontology and Evolution. W. H. Freeman and Company, New York 1-698
  3. ^ M. Mendoza, C. M. Janis, and P. Palmqvist. 2006. Estimating the body mass of extinct ungulates: a study on the use of multiple regression. Journal of Zoology 270(1):90-101
Stub icon This prehistoric mammal-related article is a stub. You can help Wikipedia by expanding it.