Metarhinus
Extinct genus of mammals
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Metarhinus is a genus of brontothere endemic to North America. It lived during the Eocene 46.2—40.4 mya, existing for approximately 6 million years.[2]
| Metarhinus Temporal range: Eocene, | |
|---|---|
| |
| Metarhinus jaw at Mission Trails Regional Park visitor center | |
Scientific classification  | |
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Chordata |
| Class: | Mammalia |
| Order: | Perissodactyla |
| Family: | †Brontotheriidae |
| Genus: | †Metarhinus Osborn, 1908 |
| Type species | |
| Metarhinus fluviatilis Osborn, 1908 | |
| Species[1] | |
| |
| Synonyms | |
| |
Description
In terms of dentition, Metarhinus had rather primitive morphology. The genus bears enlarged canines and diagonal premolars. The molars of adult specimens are deeply worn, and the skull has an elongated and high sagittal crest. In both jaws there is a short post-canine diastema.[3] Different species of Metarhinus have unique nasal mophologies, with M. fluvialtilis having spoon-shaped nasals and M. diploconus having tapered nasals.[4][5] This unique anatomical trait has been suggested to indicate that Metarhinus had an advanced sense of smell.[5]