Promerycochoerus

Promerycochoerus
Temporal range: Early Miocene
Promerycochoerus carrikeri
Scientific classification
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Class: Mammalia
Order: Artiodactyla
Family: Merycoidodontidae
Genus: Promerycochoerus
Leidy, 1858
Species
  • P. proprius (type)
  • P. carrikeri
  • P. chelydra
  • P. magnus
  • P. matthewi
  • P. pinensis
  • P. superbus
  • P. vantasselensis

Promerycochoerus ("Before Merycochoerus" or "Before Ruminating Hog") is an extinct genus of hippopotamus-like oreodont artiodactyl that lived in Central North America during the Early Miocene.

Promerycochoerus superbus

The 1 m (3 ft 4 in) long creature is thought to have been amphibious, as all species possessed an elongated, barrel-shaped body and short limbs that are typical adaptations found in semi-aquatic mammals. P. superbus had a long tapir-like face, while P. carrikeri had a short, somewhat pig-like face.[1]

References

  1. ↑ Palmer, D., ed. (1999). The Marshall Illustrated Encyclopedia of Dinosaurs and Prehistoric Animals. London: Marshall Editions. p. 271. ISBN 1-84028-152-9.
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