Hoffstetterius
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| Hoffstetterius | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Skeletal drawing of the skull of the adult holotype of H. imperator | |
Scientific classification  | |
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Chordata |
| Class: | Mammalia |
| Order: | †Notoungulata |
| Family: | †Toxodontidae |
| Subfamily: | †Toxodontinae |
| Genus: | †Hoffstetterius Saint-André, 1993 |
| Species: | †H. imperator |
| Binomial name | |
| †Hoffstetterius imperator Saint-André, 1993 | |
Hoffstetterius is an extinct genus of toxodontid notoungulate mammal, belonging to the subfamily Toxodontinae whose remains were discovered in the Middle to Late Miocene (Mayoan to Montehermosan) Mauri Formation in the La Paz Department in Bolivia.[1] The only described species is the type Hoffstetterius imperator.[2]
The genus is named after paleontologist Robert Hoffstetter, who discovered the fossil in 1969.[2]
Discovery
The remains of Hoffstetterius were discovered in a volcanic tuff in the 6th member of the Mauri Formation, located in the northwestern part of the Bolivian highlands, to 5 kilometres (3.1 mi). near to the village of Achiri in the Pacajes Province, Bolivia. These volcanic sediments have been dated in 10.35 million years, which indicates that they are of the Late Miocene and would correspond to the Chasicoan mammal-age. The uncovered remains include the holotype specimen MNHN ACH1, a partial skull and mandible of an adult individual, plus postcranial remains including an axis, right humerus, both radius, part of the left ulna and left femur, retrieved by the expedition of the paleontologist Robert Hoffstetter in 1969.[2] A second specimen, the paratype MNHN BOL V 3291 corresponds to the partial skull of a juvenile individual, which comes from Cerro Pisakeri, also near to Achiri, recovered by the joint expedition of the French Institute of Andean Studies (IFEA) and The Geological Service of Bolivia (GEOBOL) in 1989. These remains were the basis for the designation of the new genus and species Hoffstetterius imperator in 1993 by French paleontologist Pierre-Antoine Saint-André. The name of the genus commemorates the scientific work of Professor Hoffstetter, while the name of the species, imperator ("emperor" in Latin) refers to the great sagittal crest of the animal, reminiscent of the crown of the emperors of the Holy Roman Empire.[2]
Description
The skull of Hoffstetterius is high and elongated; in the holotype specimen it measures 527 millimetres (20.7 in) in length, while in the juvenile specimen it reaches 469 millimetres (18.5 in). The most notable characteristic of this is the elevation of the frontal bone over the nasals, forming a large sagittal crest, which is more developed in the adult individual, and also presents in the anterior frontal area a sort of triangular "shield", which may have served as a point of attachment for a keratinous horn, as in modern rhinoceroses and some toxodontids such as Trigodon and Paratrigodon. In dorsal view, the skull is triangular in shape. The mandible has a notorious projection pointing downwards into the mandibular ramus, at the level of the lower third molar (m3), a feature seen in other toxodontids such as Mixotoxodon and Pericotoxodon.[2]
The dental formula is 2.0.3.32.1.3.3 in the holotype; in the juvenile paratype it is 2.1.4.3[unknown]. Molar teeth have lingual folds with less depths than in other toxodontids such as Ocnerotherium, a well-developed middle lobe and a complex contour in the posterior lobe of the upper molar, apart from a sharp posterior edge in the upper third molar (M3), while in the second lower molar (m2) the lingual surface of the trigonid is much longer. The upper premolars lack of lingual folds and the upper molars lacking of the bifurcated lingual fold, a trait shared with advanced toxodontids such as Trigodon, Stereotoxodon and Mixotoxodon.[2] The teeth of Hoffstetterius grew continuously throughout life, and its permanent third molars erupted faster than its permanent premolars.[3]
The femur of Hoffstetterius has an elongated trochlear medial crest at its lower end, in the area of the knee joint, as in Toxodon. This type of structure may have served these toxodontids to maintain static their legs while standing, facilitating them to maintain this posture for long periods throughout the day without fatigue, as in modern horses and rhinoceroses.[4]
