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{{Short description|Extinct genus of mammals}} |
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{{Taxobox |
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{{Automatic taxobox |
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| name = ''Potamotherium'' |
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| fossil_range = {{Fossil range|23.03| |
| fossil_range = {{Fossil range|23.03|11.1}} <small>[[Aquitanian (stage)|Aquitanian]] - [[Tortonian]]</small> |
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| image = Potamotherium.jpg |
| image = Potamotherium valetoni skeleton.jpg |
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| image_caption = ''P. valletoni'' skeleton |
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| image_width = 250px |
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| taxon = Potamotherium |
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| authority = Geoffroy, 1833 |
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| phylum = [[Chordata]] |
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| subdivision_ranks = [[Species]] |
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| subdivision = |
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| ordo = [[Carnivora]] |
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* '''''P. valletoni''''' <small>(Geoffroy, 1833)</small> ([[Type species|type]]) |
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| familia = [[Mustelidae]] |
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* '''''P. miocenicum''''' <small>(Peters, 1868)</small> |
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| subfamilia = [[Oligobuninae]] |
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| genus = '''''Potamotherium''''' |
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| species = ''[[Potamotherium miocenicum|P. miocenicum]]'' |
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}} |
}} |
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'''''Potamotherium''''' ('river beast') an extinct [[genus]] from the [[Miocene]] |
'''''Potamotherium''''' ('river beast') an extinct [[genus]] of [[Caniformia|caniform]] [[Carnivora|carnivoran]] from the [[Miocene]] epoch of France and Germany. It has historically been assigned to the family [[Mustelidae]] (otters, weasels, etc.), but more recent studies suggest that it represents a primitive relative of [[pinniped]]s (seals, sea lions, etc.) |
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==Classification== |
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The genus was first described in 1833. In 1988 it was assigned to the family [[Mustelidae]] and the subfamily [[Oligobuninae]]. However, it has been suggested that ''Potamotherium'' was not a mustelid at all, but rather a very basal [[pinniped]].<ref>[http://scienceblogs.com/notrocketscience/2009/04/puijila_the_walking_seal_beautiful_transitional_fossil.php "Puijila, the walking seal - a beautiful transitional fossil"], ''Not Exactly Rocket Science'' on Science Blogs</ref> One species has been identified in the genus: '''''P. miocenicum'''''.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://paleodb.org/cgi-bin/bridge.pl?action=checkTaxonInfo&taxon_no=41157 |title=''Potamotherium'' at the Paleobiology Database. |publisher=paleodb.org |accessdate=2008-11-25}} |
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| ⚫ | |||
The genus was first described in 1833. Carroll (1988) assigned it to the family [[Mustelidae]] as a member of the subfamily [[Oligobuninae]]. However, it was recently suggested that ''Potamotherium'' was not a mustelid at all, but rather a very basal [[pinniped]].<ref name="Puijila, the walking seal">{{cite web |
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| url = http://blogs.discovermagazine.com/notrocketscience/2009/04/22/puijila-the-walking-seal-a-beautiful-transitional-fossil/#.UofLgtK-2So |
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| title = Puijila, the walking seal – a beautiful transitional fossil |
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| author = Ed Yong |
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| author-link = Ed Yong |
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| date = 2009-04-22 |
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| website = Not Exactly Rocket Science |
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| publisher = Discover Magazine |
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| archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20121103174758/http://blogs.discovermagazine.com/notrocketscience/2009/04/22/puijila-the-walking-seal-a-beautiful-transitional-fossil/ |
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| archive-date = 3 November 2012 |
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| url-status = live |
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| access-date = 2014-10-07}}</ref><ref name="pasp110">{{cite journal |
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|author1=Natalia Rybczynski |author2=Mary R. Dawson |author3=Richard H. Tedford | title=A semi-aquatic Arctic mammalian carnivore from the Miocene epoch and origin of Pinnipedia |
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| journal=Nature |
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| year=2009 |
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| volume=458 |
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| issue=7241 |
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| pages=1021–1024 |
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| bibcode=2009Natur.458.1021R |
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| doi=10.1038/nature07985 |
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| pmid=19396145|s2cid=4371413 }}</ref> Berta et al. (2018) placed ''Potamotherium'' along with ''[[Puijila]]'' and ''[[Semantor]]'' in the family Semantoridae.<ref>Berta, A., Churchill, M., & Boessenecker, R.W. (2018). "The Origin and Evolutionary Biology of Pinnipeds: Seals, Sea Lions, and Walruses". Annual Review of Earth and Planetary Sciences. 0. doi:10.1146/annurev-earth-082517-010009. |
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</ref> |
</ref> |
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| ⚫ | |||
| ⚫ | Finds range from the mid-latitudes of [[Europe]] and [[North America]], dated from the [[Oligocene]]/[[Miocene]] boundary and surviving through to the end of the Miocene.<ref>Tedford, R. H. et al. (2004): ''Late Cretaceous and Cenozoic Mammals of North America'' (ed. Woodburne, M. O.), pp 169–231 (Columbia Univ. Press, 2004)</ref><ref>Mörs, T. & Von Koenigswald, W. (2000): ''Potamotherium valletoni'' (Carnivora, Mammalia) aus dem Oberoligozän von Enspel im Westerwald. ''Senckenberg. Leth''. no 80: pp 257–273</ref> It has been interpreted by several researchers as a basal, non-marine ancestor of [[Pinniped|seals]] and [[sea lion]]s, suggesting a freshwater phase in the evolutionary transition of pinnipeds from land to sea. If ''Potamotherium'' was indeed a pinniped instead of a mustelid, its relatives were possibly early [[bear]]s (whose ancestors at the time were small and generally weasel-like).<ref |
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Two species have been identified in the genus: '''''P. valletoni''''', the type species, and '''''P. miocenicum'''''.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://paleobiodb.org/classic/checkTaxonInfo?taxon_no=41157 |title=''Potamotherium'' at the Paleobiology Database. |publisher=paleodb.org |access-date=2008-11-25}}</ref> |
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==Distribution== |
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[[File:Potamotherium valetoni skull 45.jpg|thumb|left|Skull ''P. valletoni'']] |
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| ⚫ | Finds range from the mid-latitudes of [[Europe]] and [[North America]], dated from the [[Oligocene]]/[[Miocene]] boundary and surviving through to the end of the Miocene.<ref>Tedford, R. H. et al. (2004): ''Late Cretaceous and Cenozoic Mammals of North America'' (ed. Woodburne, M. O.), pp 169–231 (Columbia Univ. Press, 2004)</ref><ref>Mörs, T. & Von Koenigswald, W. (2000): ''Potamotherium valletoni'' (Carnivora, Mammalia) aus dem Oberoligozän von Enspel im Westerwald. ''Senckenberg. Leth''. no 80: pp 257–273</ref> It has been interpreted by several researchers as a basal, non-marine ancestor of [[Pinniped|seals]] and [[sea lion]]s, suggesting a freshwater phase in the evolutionary transition of pinnipeds from land to sea. If ''Potamotherium'' was indeed a pinniped instead of a mustelid, its relatives were possibly early [[bear]]s (whose ancestors at the time were small and generally weasel-like).<ref name=pasp110/> |
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==Palaeobiology== |
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Physically, ''Potamotherium'' resembled a modern [[otter]], and was {{convert|1.5|m|ft|sigfig=1}} long, with an elongated, slender body and short legs. With a flexible backbone and a streamlined shape, it was probably a good swimmer. Analysis of fossils suggests that ''Potamotherium'' had a poor sense of [[olfaction|smell]], but made up for this with good [[Visual perception|vision]] and [[Hearing (sense)|hearing]].<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= 215|isbn= 1-84028-152-9}}</ref> |
Physically, ''Potamotherium'' resembled a modern [[otter]], and was {{convert|1.5|m|ft|sigfig=1}} long, with an elongated, slender body and short legs. With a flexible backbone and a streamlined shape, it was probably a good swimmer. Analysis of fossils suggests that ''Potamotherium'' had a poor sense of [[olfaction|smell]], but made up for this with good [[Visual perception|vision]] and [[Hearing (sense)|hearing]].<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= 215|isbn= 1-84028-152-9}}</ref> |
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Fossils of ''Potamotherium'' are so complete that the shape of the brain can be inferred via a digital [[endocast]] of the skull. The [[coronal gyrus]] (a fold on the lateral surface of the brain) is broad, slanted backwards and partially split by a small groove. The brain is nearly identical to that of ''[[Enaliarctos]]'', an extinct mammal universally agreed to be close to pinnipeds. Modern pinnipeds and the extinct ''[[Pinnarctidion]]'' have an expanded coronal gyrus with a distinctive vertical orientation. The carnivorans with the largest coronal gyrus are freshwater foragers such as the [[otter civet]] (''Cynogale bennetti'') and certain otter species (in the genera ''[[Lutra]]'' and ''[[Lontra]]''). They primarily emphasize sensitive [[whiskers]] (vibrissae) or the lips while hunting, rather than the hands. It is likely that the same was true for ''Potamotherium''. Modern pinnipeds are unique among marine mammals for their large whiskers, which were probably inherited from an ancestor similar to ''Potamotherium''.<ref>{{Cite journal |last=Lyras |first=George A. |last2=Werdelin |first2=Lars |last3=van der Geer |first3=Bartholomeus G. M. |last4=van der Geer |first4=Alexandra A. E. |date=2023-08-17 |title=Fossil brains provide evidence of underwater feeding in early seals |url=https://www.nature.com/articles/s42003-023-05135-z |journal=Communications Biology |language=en |volume=6 |issue=1 |pages=1–8 |doi=10.1038/s42003-023-05135-z |issn=2399-3642|pmc=10435510 }}</ref> |
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==References== |
==References== |
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{{ |
{{Reflist}} |
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{{Pan-Pinnipedia|P.}} |
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{{Taxonbar|from=Q1636008}} |
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[[ca:Potamoteri]] |
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[[Category:Miocene mammals of North America]] |
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[[es:Potamotherium]] |
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[[Category:Aquitanian genus first appearances]] |
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[[it:Potamotherium miocenicum]] |
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[[Category:Tortonian extinctions]] |
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[[nl:Potamotherium]] |
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[[Category:Fossil taxa described in 1833]] |
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Latest revision as of 20:14, 18 November 2024
| Potamotherium Temporal range: Aquitanian - Tortonian
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| P. valletoni skeleton | |
Scientific classification 
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| Domain: | Eukaryota |
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Chordata |
| Class: | Mammalia |
| Order: | Carnivora |
| Family: | †Semantoridae |
| Genus: | †Potamotherium Geoffroy, 1833 |
| Species | |
| |
Potamotherium ('river beast') an extinct genus of caniform carnivoran from the Miocene epoch of France and Germany. It has historically been assigned to the family Mustelidae (otters, weasels, etc.), but more recent studies suggest that it represents a primitive relative of pinnipeds (seals, sea lions, etc.)
Classification
[edit]
The genus was first described in 1833. Carroll (1988) assigned it to the family Mustelidae as a member of the subfamily Oligobuninae. However, it was recently suggested that Potamotherium was not a mustelid at all, but rather a very basal pinniped.[1][2] Berta et al. (2018) placed Potamotherium along with Puijila and Semantor in the family Semantoridae.[3]
Two species have been identified in the genus: P. valletoni, the type species, and P. miocenicum.[4]
Distribution
[edit]
Finds range from the mid-latitudes of Europe and North America, dated from the Oligocene/Miocene boundary and surviving through to the end of the Miocene.[5][6] It has been interpreted by several researchers as a basal, non-marine ancestor of seals and sea lions, suggesting a freshwater phase in the evolutionary transition of pinnipeds from land to sea. If Potamotherium was indeed a pinniped instead of a mustelid, its relatives were possibly early bears (whose ancestors at the time were small and generally weasel-like).[2]
Palaeobiology
[edit]Physically, Potamotherium resembled a modern otter, and was 1.5 metres (5 ft) long, with an elongated, slender body and short legs. With a flexible backbone and a streamlined shape, it was probably a good swimmer. Analysis of fossils suggests that Potamotherium had a poor sense of smell, but made up for this with good vision and hearing.[7]
Fossils of Potamotherium are so complete that the shape of the brain can be inferred via a digital endocast of the skull. The coronal gyrus (a fold on the lateral surface of the brain) is broad, slanted backwards and partially split by a small groove. The brain is nearly identical to that of Enaliarctos, an extinct mammal universally agreed to be close to pinnipeds. Modern pinnipeds and the extinct Pinnarctidion have an expanded coronal gyrus with a distinctive vertical orientation. The carnivorans with the largest coronal gyrus are freshwater foragers such as the otter civet (Cynogale bennetti) and certain otter species (in the genera Lutra and Lontra). They primarily emphasize sensitive whiskers (vibrissae) or the lips while hunting, rather than the hands. It is likely that the same was true for Potamotherium. Modern pinnipeds are unique among marine mammals for their large whiskers, which were probably inherited from an ancestor similar to Potamotherium.[8]
References
[edit]- ^ Ed Yong (2009-04-22). "Puijila, the walking seal – a beautiful transitional fossil". Not Exactly Rocket Science. Discover Magazine. Archived from the original on 3 November 2012. Retrieved 2014-10-07.
- ^ a b Natalia Rybczynski; Mary R. Dawson; Richard H. Tedford (2009). "A semi-aquatic Arctic mammalian carnivore from the Miocene epoch and origin of Pinnipedia". Nature. 458 (7241): 1021–1024. Bibcode:2009Natur.458.1021R. doi:10.1038/nature07985. PMID 19396145. S2CID 4371413.
- ^ Berta, A., Churchill, M., & Boessenecker, R.W. (2018). "The Origin and Evolutionary Biology of Pinnipeds: Seals, Sea Lions, and Walruses". Annual Review of Earth and Planetary Sciences. 0. doi:10.1146/annurev-earth-082517-010009.
- ^ "Potamotherium at the Paleobiology Database". paleodb.org. Retrieved 2008-11-25.
- ^ Tedford, R. H. et al. (2004): Late Cretaceous and Cenozoic Mammals of North America (ed. Woodburne, M. O.), pp 169–231 (Columbia Univ. Press, 2004)
- ^ Mörs, T. & Von Koenigswald, W. (2000): Potamotherium valletoni (Carnivora, Mammalia) aus dem Oberoligozän von Enspel im Westerwald. Senckenberg. Leth. no 80: pp 257–273
- ^ Palmer, D., ed. (1999). The Marshall Illustrated Encyclopedia of Dinosaurs and Prehistoric Animals. London: Marshall Editions. p. 215. ISBN 1-84028-152-9.
- ^ Lyras, George A.; Werdelin, Lars; van der Geer, Bartholomeus G. M.; van der Geer, Alexandra A. E. (2023-08-17). "Fossil brains provide evidence of underwater feeding in early seals". Communications Biology. 6 (1): 1–8. doi:10.1038/s42003-023-05135-z. ISSN 2399-3642. PMC 10435510.
