Metaschizotherium

Metaschizotherium
Temporal range: Early to Middle Miocene
Fossil
Scientific classification
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Class: Mammalia
Order: Perissodactyla
Superfamily: Chalicotherioidea
Family: Chalicotheriidae
Subfamily: Schizotheriinae
Genus: Metaschizotherium
von Koenigswald, 1932
Species
  • M. fraasi (type) Marsh 1877
  • M. bavaricum von Koenigswald 1932
  • M. wetzleri Kowalewsky 1873

Metaschizotherium is an extinct genus that belongs to the family Chalicotheriidae, which was a group of herbivorous perissodactyl ("odd-toed") mammals. Though found primarily in Europe, fragmentary remains suggest that their range extended into Asia. This genus is typically associated with areas of closed, moist forest, where it fed on relatively soft leaves and shoots compared to a more abrasive diet of twigs and bark.[1]

Metaschizotherium is related to the modern horse, rhino, and tapir.[2]

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 (Springer Berlin / Heidelberg) 83 (1): 85–129. doi:10.1007/s12542-009-0004-x. Retrieved 2009-12-31.
  2. Palmer, D., ed. (1999). The Marshall Illustrated Encyclopedia of Dinosaurs and Prehistoric Animals. London: Marshall Editions. p. 261. ISBN 1-84028-152-9.

See also

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