Hapalops

Taxobox
name = "Hapalops"
status = fossil
fossil_range = Late Oligocene to Miocene


image_width = 250px
image_caption = "Hapalops ruetimeyeri"
regnum = Animalia
phylum = Chordata
classis = Mammalia
ordo = Xenarthra
familia = †Megatheriidae
genus = †"Hapalops"
genus_authority = Ameghino, 1887
subdivision_ranks = Species
subdivision =
* †"H. indifferens"
* †"H. longicers"
* †"H. longipes"
* †"H. latus"
* †"H. cadens"
* †"H. congermanus"
* †"H. gallaicus"

"Hapalops" is an extinct genus of ground sloth from the late Oligocene of South America.

Though related to the giant "Megatherium", "Hapalops" was much smaller, measuring about 1 m (3 ft 4 inches) in length. Like most extinct sloths it is categorized as a ground sloth, but it is believed that the smaller size of "Hapalops" allowed it to engage in some climbing behaviors [White, J. 1993. Indicators of locomotor habits in Xenarthrans: Evidence for locomotor heterogeneity among fossil sloths. Journal of Vertebrate Paleontology, 13(2): 230-242] . It had a robust body, short skull and long limbs with large, curved claws. When it did visit the ground the animal probably walked on the knuckles of its forelimbs, like a gorilla. "Hapalops" had very few teeth with no incisors, the mandible included only four pairs of teeth. [ http://www.grupopaleo.com.ar/miramarprehistorica/miohapalops.htm ]

"Hapalops" represents a taxonomic nightmare in need of revision with approximately 30 different species assigned to the genus, most of which are likely superfluous.

References