Microtitan
Genus of Mongolian Brontothere
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Microtitan is a genus of brontothere from the Irdin Manha formation.[1]
| Microtitan Temporal range: Middle Eocene
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Scientific classification  | |
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Chordata |
| Class: | Mammalia |
| Order: | Perissodactyla |
| Family: | †Brontotheriidae |
| Genus: | †Microtitan |
| Species: | †M. mongoliensis |
| Binomial name | |
| †Microtitan mongoliensis Granger and Gregory, 1943 | |
Description
Microtitan is small compared to other contemporary brontotheres, being similar in size to Metarhinus. The premolars of Microtitan are compressed, while the molars are elongated.[2] The genus is almost entirely known from the cheek teeth, as well as mandibular and maxillary remains.[3][4] There is no indication of the specialization of the rostrum as seen in Dolichorhinus or Metarhinus. The upper canines of Microtitan are moderately sized.[5]
Classification
The fragmentary nature of Microtitan has caused it to have a convoluted classification history. The holotype specimen of the genus, AMNH 20167, (ascribed to the species M. mongoliensis) has been considered a composite specimen (meaning material came from multiple individuals) and not fitting to be a diagnostic specimen. A neotype, AMNH 22099, is currently ascribed to the species by Granger and Gregory (1943).[2][5] Other species assigned to the genus have been considered dubious.[5][3]
Currently the genus is grouped within the subfamily Brontotheriinae, close to Metarhinus.[5]