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{{Short description|Extinct genus of mammals}}
{{Automatic Taxobox
{{Automatic Taxobox
|name = ''Archaeopotamus''
|name = ''Archaeopotamus''
|fossil_range = [[Late Miocene]] to [[Pliocene|Late Pliocene]]
|fossil_range = [[Late Miocene]] to [[Pliocene|Late Pliocene]]
|taxon = Archaeopotamus
|taxon = Archaeopotamus
|authority = Boisserie, 2005<ref name="Boisserie">{{cite journal |last=Boisserie |first=Jean-Renaud |year=2005 |title=The phylogeny and taxonomy of Hippopotamidae (Mammalia: Artiodactyla): a review based on morphology and cladistic analysis |journal=[[Zoological Journal of the Linnean Society]] |volume= 143 |pages= 1–26 |url= http://www.blackwell-synergy.com/links/doi/10.1111/j.1096-3642.2004.00138.x/abs/ |accessdate= 2007-06-01 |doi=10.1111/j.1096-3642.2004.00138.x}} {{Dead link|date=October 2010|bot=H3llBot}}</ref>
|authority = Boisserie, 2005<ref name="Boisserie">{{cite journal |last=Boisserie |first=Jean-Renaud |year=2005 |title=The phylogeny and taxonomy of Hippopotamidae (Mammalia: Artiodactyla): a review based on morphology and cladistic analysis |journal=[[Zoological Journal of the Linnean Society]] |volume=143 |pages=1–26 |doi=10.1111/j.1096-3642.2004.00138.x |doi-access=free }}</ref>
| subdivision_ranks = Species
| subdivision_ranks = Species
| subdivision =
| subdivision =
†''A. pantanelli'' <small>(Joleaud 1920)</small><br>
†''A. harvardi'' <small>(Coryndon 1977)</small><br>
†''A. lothagamensis'' <small>(Weston 2000)</small><br>
†''A. lothagamensis'' <small>(Weston 2000)</small><br>
†''A. harvardi'' <small>(Coryndon 1977)</small>
†''A. qeshta'' <small>(Boisserie ''et al.'' 2017)</small>
}}
}}
⚫
'''''Archaeopotamus''''' is an extinct [[genus]] of [[Hippopotamidae]] that lived between 7.5 and 1.8 million years ago in [[Africa]] and the [[Middle East]]. The genus was described in 2005 to encompass species of hippos that were previously grouped in ''[[Hexaprotodon]]''.


⚫
'''''Archaeopotamus''''' is an [[extinct]] [[genus]] of [[Hippopotamidae]] that lived between 7.5 and 2.58 million years ago in [[Africa]] and the [[Middle East]]. The genus was described in 2005 to encompass species of [[Hippopotamus|hippos]] that were previously grouped in ''[[Hexaprotodon]]''.
⚫
''Archaeopotamus'' means "the ancient of the river". Of all identified hippos, only ''[[Kenyapotamus]]'' is older. ''Kenyapotamus'', however, is only known from partial fossils; ''Archaeopotamus'' is the oldest well-identified hippo.<ref name="Boisserie" />

⚫
''Archaeopotamus'' means "the ancient of the river". Of all identified hippos, only ''[[Kenyapotamus]]'' is older. ''[[Kenyapotamus]]'', however, is only known from partial [[fossils]]; ''Archaeopotamus'' is the oldest well-identified hippo.<ref name="Boisserie" />


==Characteristics==
==Characteristics==
Many prehistoric hippo fossils are known primarily through fossils of the [[mandible|lower jaw]]. ''Archaeopotamus'', like ''Hexaprotodon'', has three pairs of incisors. Unlike other ''Hexaprotodon'', ''Archaeopotamus'' has a highly elongate [[Symphysis menti|mandibular symphysis]]. The informal name "narrow muzzled hippos" has been suggested for this genus.
Many prehistoric hippo fossils are known primarily through fossils of the [[mandible|lower jaw]]. ''Archaeopotamus'', like ''Hexaprotodon'', has three pairs of [[Incisor|incisors]]. Unlike other ''Hexaprotodon'', ''Archaeopotamus'' has a highly elongate [[Symphysis menti|mandibular symphysis]]. The informal name "narrow muzzled hippos" has been suggested for this genus.


===''A. lothagamensis''===
===''A. lothagamensis''===
''A. lothagamensis'' is a species whose fossils were discovered at Lothagam, a site southwest of [[Lake Turkana]] in [[Kenya]] and first described in 2000. When first described, the species was classified as ''Hexaprotodon lothagamensis'', although the significant morphological differences between other ''Hexaprotodon'' species, were noted.<ref name="Weston">{{cite journal |last= Weston |first= E.M. |date=March 2000 |title= A New Species of Hippopotamus ''Hexaprotodon Lothagamensis'' (Mammalia: Hippopotamidae) From the Late Miocene of Kenya|journal=[[Journal of Vertebrate Paleontology]]|volume= 20|issue= 1|pages=177–185 |url = http://www.bioone.org/perlserv/?request=get-abstract&doi=10.1671%2F0272-4634(2000)020%5B0177%3AANSOHH%5D2.0.CO%3B2 | accessdate = 2007-06-01 |doi= 10.1671/0272-4634(2000)020[0177:ANSOHH]2.0.CO;2 |issn= 0272-4634}}</ref>
''A. lothagamensis'' is a species whose fossils were discovered at [[Lothagam]], a site southwest of [[Lake Turkana]] in [[Kenya]] and first described in 2000. When first described, the species was classified as ''Hexaprotodon lothagamensis'', although the significant morphological differences between other ''Hexaprotodon'' species, were noted.<ref name="Weston">{{cite journal |last= Weston |first= E.M. |date=March 2000 |title= A New Species of Hippopotamus ''Hexaprotodon Lothagamensis'' (Mammalia: Hippopotamidae) From the Late Miocene of Kenya|journal=[[Journal of Vertebrate Paleontology]]|volume= 20|issue= 1|pages=177–185 |doi= 10.1671/0272-4634(2000)020[0177:ANSOHH]2.0.CO;2 |issn= 0272-4634}}</ref>


''A. lothagamensis'' was smaller than the modern [[hippopotamus]] and also smaller than ''A. harvardi'' and with a more slender skeleton. It was, however, significantly larger than the modern [[pygmy hippopotamus]].
''A. lothagamensis'' was smaller than the modern [[hippopotamus]] and also smaller than ''A. harvardi'' and with a more slender skeleton. It was, however, significantly larger than the modern [[pygmy hippopotamus]].
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==Distribution==
==Distribution==
Fossils of ''Archaeopotamus'' have been unearthed near [[Lake Turkana]], Kenya; near [[Lake Victoria]] in Kenya and in [[Abu Dhabi]] and thus likely ranged across [[East Africa]] and the [[Arabian Peninsula]].
Fossils of ''Archaeopotamus'' have been unearthed near [[Lake Turkana]], Kenya; near [[Lake Victoria]] in Kenya and in [[Abu Dhabi]] and thus likely ranged across [[East Africa]] and the [[Arabian Peninsula]]. The species ''A. pantanelli'' inhabited [[Tuscany]], [[Italy]].<ref name="MartinoRookMateusPandolfi2023">{{Cite journal|last1=Martino |first1=R. |last2=Rook |first2=L. |last3=Mateus |first3=O. |last4=Pandolfi |first4=L. |year=2023 |title=The Late Miocene hippopotamid, ''Archaeopotamus pantanellii'' nov. comb., from the Casino Basin (Tuscany, Italy): paleobiogeographic implications |journal=Historical Biology: An International Journal of Paleobiology |volume=36 |issue=4 |pages=891–904 |doi=10.1080/08912963.2023.2194912 |hdl=10261/307410 |hdl-access=free }}</ref>


==Evolution==
==Evolution==
The immediate ancestor of ''Archaeopotamus'' is unknown. Whether or not ''Archaeopotamus'' is descended from ''[[Kenyapotamus]]'' cannot be determined from the few fossils available. Although ''Archaeopotamus'' is more primitive than any member of the genus ''Hippopotamus'', it is likely a sister group of both hippopotamuses and ''Hexaprotodon''.
The immediate ancestor of ''Archaeopotamus'' is unknown. Whether ''Archaeopotamus'' is descended from ''[[Kenyapotamus]]'' cannot be determined from the few fossils available. Although ''Archaeopotamus'' is more primitive than any member of the genus ''Hippopotamus'', it is likely a sister group of both hippopotamuses and ''Hexaprotodon''.


Fossils similar to ''Archaeopotamus'' have been dated to as recently as about 2 million years ago, the end of the [[Pliocene]] epoch. These fossils are significantly different from those of ''Hippopotamus'' and ''Hexaprotodon'' of the same time.
Fossils similar to ''Archaeopotamus'' have been dated to as recently as about 2 million years ago, the end of the [[Pliocene]] epoch. These fossils are significantly different from those of ''Hippopotamus'' and ''Hexaprotodon'' of the same time.
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==References==
==References==
{{Reflist}}
{{Reflist}}

{{Taxonbar|from=Q4785522}}


[[Category:Miocene mammals of Africa]]
[[Category:Miocene mammals of Africa]]
[[Category:Miocene mammals of Asia]]
[[Category:Pliocene mammals of Africa]]
[[Category:Pliocene mammals of Africa]]
[[Category:Pliocene mammals of Asia]]
[[Category:Pliocene mammals of Asia]]
[[Category:Extinct hippopotamuses]]
[[Category:Extinct hippopotamuses]]
[[Category:Megafauna of Africa]]
[[Category:Miocene Artiodactyla]]
[[Category:Miocene even-toed ungulates]]
[[Category:Pliocene Artiodactyla]]
[[Category:Pliocene even-toed ungulates]]
[[Category:Piacenzian extinctions]]
[[Category:Piacenzian extinctions]]
[[Category:Miocene genus first appearances]]
[[Category:Miocene genus first appearances]]
[[Category:Fossil taxa described in 2005]]
[[Category:Fossil taxa described in 2005]]
[[Category:Prehistoric Artiodactyla genera]]

Latest revision as of 14:23, 4 July 2024

Archaeopotamus
Temporal range: Late Miocene to Late Pliocene
Scientific classification Edit this classification
Domain: Eukaryota
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Class: Mammalia
Order: Artiodactyla
Family: Hippopotamidae
Subfamily: Hippopotaminae
Genus: †Archaeopotamus
Boisserie, 2005[1]
Species

†A. pantanelli (Joleaud 1920)
†A. harvardi (Coryndon 1977)
†A. lothagamensis (Weston 2000)
†A. qeshta (Boisserie et al. 2017)

Archaeopotamus is an extinct genus of Hippopotamidae that lived between 7.5 and 2.58 million years ago in Africa and the Middle East. The genus was described in 2005 to encompass species of hippos that were previously grouped in Hexaprotodon.

Archaeopotamus means "the ancient of the river". Of all identified hippos, only Kenyapotamus is older. Kenyapotamus, however, is only known from partial fossils; Archaeopotamus is the oldest well-identified hippo.[1]

Characteristics

[edit]

Many prehistoric hippo fossils are known primarily through fossils of the lower jaw. Archaeopotamus, like Hexaprotodon, has three pairs of incisors. Unlike other Hexaprotodon, Archaeopotamus has a highly elongate mandibular symphysis. The informal name "narrow muzzled hippos" has been suggested for this genus.

A. lothagamensis

[edit]

A. lothagamensis is a species whose fossils were discovered at Lothagam, a site southwest of Lake Turkana in Kenya and first described in 2000. When first described, the species was classified as Hexaprotodon lothagamensis, although the significant morphological differences between other Hexaprotodon species, were noted.[2]

A. lothagamensis was smaller than the modern hippopotamus and also smaller than A. harvardi and with a more slender skeleton. It was, however, significantly larger than the modern pygmy hippopotamus.

A. harvardi

[edit]

A. harvardi is a species of hippo first described in 1977, originally as Hexaprotodon harvardi.[3] Although the proportions of A. harvardi and A. lothagamensis are similar, the former species is significantly smaller. Femurs of A. harvardi are approximately the same size as those of the modern hippopotamus.

Another group of fossils, originally described as Hexaprotodon sahabiensis or the Abu Dhabi Hippopotamus, are now considered to belong to A. harvardi or A. lothagamensis. The fossil record for A. harvardi is more extensive than for other Archaeopotamus.[1][2]

A. harvardi is believed to have had a more riparian lifestyle than A. lothagamensis.

Distribution

[edit]

Fossils of Archaeopotamus have been unearthed near Lake Turkana, Kenya; near Lake Victoria in Kenya and in Abu Dhabi and thus likely ranged across East Africa and the Arabian Peninsula. The species A. pantanelli inhabited Tuscany, Italy.[4]

Evolution

[edit]

The immediate ancestor of Archaeopotamus is unknown. Whether Archaeopotamus is descended from Kenyapotamus cannot be determined from the few fossils available. Although Archaeopotamus is more primitive than any member of the genus Hippopotamus, it is likely a sister group of both hippopotamuses and Hexaprotodon.

Fossils similar to Archaeopotamus have been dated to as recently as about 2 million years ago, the end of the Pliocene epoch. These fossils are significantly different from those of Hippopotamus and Hexaprotodon of the same time.

References

[edit]
  1. ^ a b c Boisserie, Jean-Renaud (2005). "The phylogeny and taxonomy of Hippopotamidae (Mammalia: Artiodactyla): a review based on morphology and cladistic analysis". Zoological Journal of the Linnean Society. 143: 1–26. doi:10.1111/j.1096-3642.2004.00138.x.
  2. ^ a b Weston, E.M. (March 2000). "A New Species of Hippopotamus Hexaprotodon Lothagamensis (Mammalia: Hippopotamidae) From the Late Miocene of Kenya". Journal of Vertebrate Paleontology. 20 (1): 177–185. doi:10.1671/0272-4634(2000)020[0177:ANSOHH]2.0.CO;2. ISSN 0272-4634.
  3. ^ Coryndon, S. C. (1977). "The Taxonomy and Nomenclature of the Hippopotamidae (Mammalia, Artiodactyla) and a Description of Two New Fossil Species". Proceedings of the Koninklijke Nederlandse Akademie van Wetenschappen. Series B, Palaeontology, geology, physics, and chemistry. 80 (2): 72–88. ISSN 0023-3366.
  4. ^ Martino, R.; Rook, L.; Mateus, O.; Pandolfi, L. (2023). "The Late Miocene hippopotamid, Archaeopotamus pantanellii nov. comb., from the Casino Basin (Tuscany, Italy): paleobiogeographic implications". Historical Biology: An International Journal of Paleobiology. 36 (4): 891–904. doi:10.1080/08912963.2023.2194912. hdl:10261/307410.
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