Synthetoceras
Extinct genus of even-toed ungulates
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Synthetoceras is an extinct genus of large protoceratid that was endemic to North America during the Late Miocene (12.5-4.7 million years ago), existing for approximately 7.8 million years. Fossils have been recovered from Nebraska and Texas.[1] Two species have been described: S. tricornatus (the type species) and S. davisorum.
| Synthetoceras | |
|---|---|
| |
| Skull of S. tricornatus | |
Scientific classification  | |
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Chordata |
| Class: | Mammalia |
| Order: | Artiodactyla |
| Family: | †Protoceratidae |
| Genus: | †Synthetoceras Stirton, 1932 |
| Type species | |
| †Synthetoceras tricornatus Stirton, 1932 | |
| Species | |
| |
Description
With a length of 2 m (6.6 ft) and a mass of 150–200 kg (330–440 lb), Synthetoceras was the largest member of its family.[2][3] It was also the last, and had what is considered to be the protoceratids' strangest set of horns.[4] The two horns above its eyes looked fairly normal and similar to those of many modern horned mammals, but on its snout it had a bizarre, long horn with a forked tip that gave it a Y-shape. Only males had this strange horn, and they probably used it in territorial fights.[2]
