Prorastomus: Difference between revisions
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{{Short description|Extinct genus of mammals}} |
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{{Taxobox |
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{{Speciesbox |
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|fossil_range = Middle |
|fossil_range = {{Fossil range|Middle Eocene}} |
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|image = Prorastomus BW.jpg |
|image = Prorastomus BW.jpg |
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|image_width = 275px |
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|regnum = [[Animal]]ia |
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|authority = [[Richard Owen|Owen]], 1855 |
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|classis = [[Mammal]]ia |
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|ordo = [[Sirenia]] |
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|familia = [[Prorastomidae]] |
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|genus = '''''Prorastomus''''' |
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|species = '''''P. sirenoides''''' |
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|binomial = ''Prorastomus sirenoides'' |
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|binomial_authority = [[Richard Owen|Owen]], [[1855]] |
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}} |
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While modern sirenians are fully aquatic, the 1,50 m (5 ft) ''Prorastomus'' was predominantly terrestrial, possessing stout legs and a long [[tail]]. Judging from its crown-shaped [[molar (tooth)|molars]] and the shape of its snout, it fed on soft [[plant]]s. |
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==Taxonomy== |
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The generic name ''Prorastomus'', a combination of [[Greek language|Greek]] {{lang|grc|πρῷρα}} (''prōra''), prow, and {{lang|grc|στόμα}} (''stoma''), mouth, refers to the lower jaw of the animal "resembling the prow of a [[wherry]]". |
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The [[genus]] name ''Prorastomus'' comes from [[Ancient Greek|Greek]] ''prora'' meaning "prow" and [[Latin]] ''stomus'' meaning "mouth." In 1892, [[naturalist]] [[Richard Lydekker]] respelled it as ''Prorastoma'' with a [[grammatical gender|feminine ending]], however this was unjustified as ''stomus'' is masculine in Latin.<ref name=savage/> |
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*''World Encyclopedia of Dinosaurs & Prehistoric Creatures: The Ultimate Visual Reference To 1000 Dinosaurs And Prehistoric Creatures Of Land, Air And Sea ... And Cretaceous Eras (World Encyclopedia)'' by Dougal Dixon |
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''Prorastomus'' is one of two [[genera]] of the family [[Prorastomidae]], the other ''[[Pezosiren]]''. These two species are the oldest [[sirenia]]ns, dating to the [[Eocene]].<ref name=savage/> |
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The first specimen was [[species description|described]] by [[paleontologist]] [[Sir Richard Owen]] in 1855, and, being found in Jamaica in the [[Yellow Limestone Group]], pointed to the origin of Sirenia as being in the New World rather than the Old World as was previously thought. However, the modern understanding of [[Afrotheria]] as a clade that originally diversified in Africa overturns this idea. The [[holotype specimen]], BMNH 44897, comprises a skull, jaw, and [[atlas (anatomy)|atlas]] of the [[neck vertebra]]e. When Owen first acquired the skull, it was broken in two between the eyes and the [[braincase]]. Another specimen was found in 1989 in the same formation, USNM 437769, comprising the [[frontal bone]], a tusk, vertebrae fragments, and [[rib]]s.<ref name=savage/> |
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While modern sirenians are fully aquatic, the {{convert|1.5|m|ft|sigfig=1|adj=on}} ''Prorastomus'' was predominantly terrestrial, judging from the structure of its skull. Judging from its crown-shaped [[molar (tooth)|molars]] and the shape of its snout, it fed on soft plants.<ref name=EoDP>{{cite book |editor=Palmer, D.|year=1999 |title= The Marshall Illustrated Encyclopedia of Dinosaurs and Prehistoric Animals|publisher= Marshall Editions|location=London|page= 229|isbn= 1-84028-152-9}}</ref> The snout is long, narrow, and, at the tip, bulbous. The [[nasal bone]]s are larger than other sirenians. The [[nasal ridge]] is well developed, indicating it had a good sense of smell. The [[frontal bone]]s are smaller than usual for sirenians, though, as in other sirenians, it had a pronounced [[brow ridge]].<ref name=savage>{{cite journal|first1=R. J. G.|last1=Savage|first2=D. P.|last2=Domning|first3=J. G. M.|last3=Thewissen|year=1994|title=Fossil Sirenia of the West Atlantic and Caribbean Region. V. the Most Primitive Known Sirenian, Prorastomus sirenoides Owen, 1855|journal=Journal of Vertebrate Paleontology|volume=14|issue=3|pages=427–449|doi=10.1080/02724634.1994.10011569|bibcode=1994JVPal..14..427S }}</ref> Since ''Pezosiren'' has a [[sagittal crest]], it is possible the ''Prorastomus'' specimen had one too before being eroded away.<ref>{{cite journal|first=D. P.|last=Domning|year=2001|title=The earliest known fully quadrupedal sirenian|journal=Nature|volume=413|issue=6856 |pages=625–627|doi=10.1038/35098072|pmid=11675784|bibcode=2001Natur.413..625D |s2cid=22005691 |url=https://www.researchgate.net/publication/11676587}}</ref> |
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== See also == |
== See also == |
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*[[Evolution of sirenians]] |
*[[Evolution of sirenians]] |
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==References== |
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{{Reflist}} |
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*Richard Owen. (1855): On the fossil skull of a mammal (''Prorastomus sirenoïdes'', Owen) from the island of Jamaica. The Quarterly journal of the Geological Society of London, 11, pp. 541–543. |
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{{Sirenian genera}} |
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{{Taxonbar|from=Q27057242}} |
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[[Category:Monotypic prehistoric placental genera]] |
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[[Category:Taxa named by Richard Owen]] |
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[[Category:Fossil taxa described in 1855]] |
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[[Category:Paleogene Jamaica]] |
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[[Category:Fossils of Jamaica]] |
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[[es:Prorastomus]] |
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[[it:Prorastomus]] |
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Latest revision as of 04:55, 5 November 2024
| Prorastomus Temporal range:
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Scientific classification 
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| Domain: | Eukaryota |
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Chordata |
| Class: | Mammalia |
| Order: | Sirenia |
| Family: | †Prorastomidae |
| Genus: | †Prorastomus Owen, 1855 |
| Species: | †P. sirenoides
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| Binomial name | |
| †Prorastomus sirenoides Owen, 1855
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Prorastomus sirenoides is an extinct species of primitive sirenian that lived during the Eocene Epoch 40 million years ago in Jamaica.
Taxonomy
[edit]The generic name Prorastomus, a combination of Greek πρῷρα (prōra), prow, and στόμα (stoma), mouth, refers to the lower jaw of the animal "resembling the prow of a wherry".
The genus name Prorastomus comes from Greek prora meaning "prow" and Latin stomus meaning "mouth." In 1892, naturalist Richard Lydekker respelled it as Prorastoma with a feminine ending, however this was unjustified as stomus is masculine in Latin.[1]
Prorastomus is one of two genera of the family Prorastomidae, the other Pezosiren. These two species are the oldest sirenians, dating to the Eocene.[1]
The first specimen was described by paleontologist Sir Richard Owen in 1855, and, being found in Jamaica in the Yellow Limestone Group, pointed to the origin of Sirenia as being in the New World rather than the Old World as was previously thought. However, the modern understanding of Afrotheria as a clade that originally diversified in Africa overturns this idea. The holotype specimen, BMNH 44897, comprises a skull, jaw, and atlas of the neck vertebrae. When Owen first acquired the skull, it was broken in two between the eyes and the braincase. Another specimen was found in 1989 in the same formation, USNM 437769, comprising the frontal bone, a tusk, vertebrae fragments, and ribs.[1]
Description
[edit]While modern sirenians are fully aquatic, the 1.5-metre (5 ft) Prorastomus was predominantly terrestrial, judging from the structure of its skull. Judging from its crown-shaped molars and the shape of its snout, it fed on soft plants.[2] The snout is long, narrow, and, at the tip, bulbous. The nasal bones are larger than other sirenians. The nasal ridge is well developed, indicating it had a good sense of smell. The frontal bones are smaller than usual for sirenians, though, as in other sirenians, it had a pronounced brow ridge.[1] Since Pezosiren has a sagittal crest, it is possible the Prorastomus specimen had one too before being eroded away.[3]
See also
[edit]
References
[edit]- ^ a b c d Savage, R. J. G.; Domning, D. P.; Thewissen, J. G. M. (1994). "Fossil Sirenia of the West Atlantic and Caribbean Region. V. the Most Primitive Known Sirenian, Prorastomus sirenoides Owen, 1855". Journal of Vertebrate Paleontology. 14 (3): 427–449. Bibcode:1994JVPal..14..427S. doi:10.1080/02724634.1994.10011569.
- ^ Palmer, D., ed. (1999). The Marshall Illustrated Encyclopedia of Dinosaurs and Prehistoric Animals. London: Marshall Editions. p. 229. ISBN 1-84028-152-9.
- ^ Domning, D. P. (2001). "The earliest known fully quadrupedal sirenian". Nature. 413 (6856): 625–627. Bibcode:2001Natur.413..625D. doi:10.1038/35098072. PMID 11675784. S2CID 22005691.
- Barry Cox, Colin Harrison, R. J. G. Savage, and Brian Gardiner. (1999): The Simon & Schuster Encyclopedia of Dinosaurs and Prehistoric Creatures: A Visual Who's Who of Prehistoric Life. Simon & Schuster.
- David Norman. (2001): The Big Book Of Dinosaurs. Pg. 348, Welcome Books.
- Richard Owen. (1855): On the fossil skull of a mammal (Prorastomus sirenoïdes, Owen) from the island of Jamaica. The Quarterly journal of the Geological Society of London, 11, pp. 541–543.
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