Sphenocoelus
Extinct genus of mammals
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Sphenocoelus is an extinct genus of brontothere known from North America and Asia during the Middle Eocene.[1]
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| Sphenocoelus Temporal range: Middle Eocene
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| Skeletal reconstruction of Sphenocoelus sp. | |
Scientific classification  | |
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Chordata |
| Class: | Mammalia |
| Order: | Perissodactyla |
| Family: | †Brontotheriidae |
| Genus: | †Sphenocoelus Osborn, 1895 |
| Species | |
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| Synonyms | |
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Description
Sphenocoelus is an average-sized brontothere, with a dolichocephalic skull.[2][3] Some specimens of Sphenocoelus bear a prominent sagittal crests, though others lack them entirely.[4] The molars are long and narrow, and the third and fourth premolars have a cusp on the posterior medial (central hind) portion of the tooth.[2] They bear 4 digits on the forefeet.[5]
Classification
Sphenocoelus has had a complicated classification history, with many genera being split off or lumped within the group at various times.[4][5] Currently, Sphenocoelus is placed within Brontotheriidae.[2][5][4] The genus Dolichorhinus was once considered a species of Sphenocoelus, S. hyognathus, but is now in its own genus.[6][5]
