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Schizotheriinae

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This is an old revision of this page, as edited by Anaxial (talk | contribs) at 11:49, 30 September 2017 (On second thought, also no more closely related to these animals than other chalicotheres were, so the sentence doesn't make sense). The present address (URL) is a permanent link to this revision, which may differ significantly from the current revision.

Schizotheriinae
Temporal range: 34–0.781 Ma Late Miocene to Early Pleistocene
Moropus elatus at the
National Museum of Natural History,
Washington, DC
Scientific classification
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Schizotheriinae

Holland and Peterson, 1914
Genera

Ancylotherium
Borissiakia
Chemositia
Metaschizotherium
Moropus
Nestoritherium
Phyllotillon
Schizotherium
Tylocephalonyx

Schizotheriines make up an extinct clade of the family Chalicotheriidae, a group of herbivorous, odd-toed ungulate (perissodactyl) mammals. Unlike the gorilla-like proportions of other chalicotheres, schizotheriines had smaller body proportions, closer to those of Moropus. Analysis of dental microwear implies most Miocene Schizotheriinae fed on leaves, bark, and twigs. Their claws were most likely used in a hook-like manner to pull down branches, suggesting they lived as bipedal browsers.[1]

References

  1. ^ Coombs, Margery C. (13 Feb 2009). "The chalicothere Metaschizotherium bavaricum (Perissodactyla, Chalicotheriidae, Schizotheriinae) from the Miocene (MN5) Lagerstatte of Sandelzhausen (Germany): description, comparison, and paleoecological significance". Paläontologische Zeitschrift. 83 (1). Springer Berlin / Heidelberg: 85–129. doi:10.1007/s12542-009-0004-x. Retrieved 2009-12-29. {{cite journal}}: Cite has empty unknown parameter: |coauthors= (help)

See also