Amynodontidae
Extinct family of mammals
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Amynodontidae ("defensive tooth")[4] is a family of extinct perissodactyls related to true rhinoceroses. They are commonly portrayed as semiaquatic hippo-like rhinos[5][6] but this description only fits members of the Metamynodontini; other groups of amynodonts like the cadurcodontines had more typical ungulate proportions and convergently evolved a tapir-like proboscis.
| Amynodontids Temporal range: | |
|---|---|
| |
| Gigantamynodon (left), Metamynodon (on the far shore), and Cadurcodon. | |
Scientific classification  | |
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Chordata |
| Class: | Mammalia |
| Order: | Perissodactyla |
| Superfamily: | Rhinocerotoidea |
| Family: | †Amynodontidae Scott & Osborn, 1883[1] |
| Type genus | |
| †Amynodon | |
| Genera[3] | |
|
See text | |
 | |
| Range of Amynodontidae based on fossil record | |
The Greek name of the family describes their tusks, derived from enlarged canine teeth. Odd-toed ungulates are herbivores, so these tusks would have been used either to deter or defend against predators (as suggested by the name) or perhaps in fights among males.[7]
Their fossils have been found in North America, and Eurasia ranging in age from the Middle Eocene to the Early Oligocene, with a single genus (Cadurcotherium) surviving into the Late Oligocene in South Asia (Pakistan).[8]
Taxonomy
†Amynodontidae
- Subfamily Amynodontinae
- Tribe Cadurcodontini
- Genus Cadurcodon[9]
- Genus Lushiamynodon[9]
- Genus Sharamynodon[9]
- Tribe Metamynodontini
- Genus Gigantamynodon[9]
- Genus Metamynodon
- Genus Paramynodon[9]
- Genus Zaisanamynodon[9]
- Tribe incertae sedis
- Genus Amynodon[9]
- Tribe Cadurcodontini
- Subfamily incertae sedis
