Barylambda

Taxobox
name = "Barylambda"
Fossil Range:Paleocene

---

image_caption = "Barylambda faberi"
image_width = 250px
regnum = Animalia
phylum = Chordata
classis = Mammalia
ordo = †Cimolesta
subordo = †Pantodonta
familia = †Barylambdidae
genus = †"Barylambda"
genus_authority = Patterson, 1937
subdivision_ranks = Species
subdivision =†"B. churchilli"
†"B. faberi"
†"B. jackwilsoni"

"Barylambda" is an extinct genus of pantodont mammal from the middle to late Paleocene, well known from several finds in North America. Like other pantodonts, "Barylambda" was a heavyset, 5-toed plantigrade. Three species of "Barylambda" are currently recognised. "Barylambda" went extinct during late Paleocene, with the advent of "Coryphodon", a larger, more advanced, pantodont.

Anatomy and possible ecology

In life, "Barylambda" probably resembled a large tapir or rhinoceros with a long, well developed tail and bear-like legs. While the teeth were rather general with well developed canines and certainly fully capable of killing and eating other animals, the molars and heavy build strongly suggest it was herbivorous. The length was about 2,5 meters with a weight around 650 kg, about the size of a pony. "Barylambda" was large even for a pantodont, sheer size probably protecting it from contemporary carnivores. The creature likely lived a life not dissimilar from that of a modern tapir, browsing on foliage and soft marsh vegetation.

References

*Gingerich, P.D.& C.G Childress Jr. (1983): "Barylambda churchilli", a new species of Pantolambdidae (Mammalia, Pantodonta) from the Late Paleocene of Western North America. Museum of Paleontology, The University of Michigan [http://hdl.handle.net/2027.42/48516]
* "World Encyclopedia of Dinosaurs & Prehistoric Creatures: The Ultimate Visual Reference To 1000 Dinosaurs And Prehistoric Creatures Of Land, Air And Sea ... And Cretaceous Eras (World Encyclopedia)" by Dougal Dixon