In Depth Spinolestes is a genus of small mammal that lived in Spain during the early Cretaceous, and one that has told us more about Mesozoic mammals that most other genera combined. This is all down to the truly exceptional level of preservation in the xenarthrosus type specimen that not only contains the skeleton, but … Read more
In Depth Cookeroo is a genus of kangaroo that lived in Australia during the Miocene. Further Reading - Cookeroo, a new genus of fossil kangaroo (Marsupialia, Macropodidae) from the Oligo-Miocene of Riversleigh, Northwestern Queensland, Australia. - Journal of Vertebrate Paleontology 36(3):e1083029 - K. Butler, K. J. Travouillon, G. J. Price, M. Archer & S. J. … Read more
In Depth Originally known as Drepanodon, fossils of this mammal were renamed Hoplophoneus by Edward Drinker Cope in 1874. Although resembling a big cat, Hoplophoneus was actually one of the nimravids, more popularly known as the ‘false sabre-toothed cats’. Nimravids were descended from an early off shoot of the carnivora and were actively hunting long … Read more
In Depth A large relative of the more famous Hyaenodon, Megistotherium was clearly one of the main predators of its day. The skull of Megistotherium alone measured up to sixty-six centimetres long, almost as long as the average person’s arm and hand. It is likely that Megistotherium also scavenged carcasses, though in what ratio Megistotherium … Read more
In Depth Proconsul is a primate that seems to be stuck in transition between monkeys and apes. So far no tail has ever been found and the hands are more dexterous than monkeys, together suggesting a primitive ape lineage. The metacarpals however are curved and the postures of reconstructed individuals are more like those of … Read more
In Depth At one meter long Hapalops is not even close to the later giant ground sloths such as Glossotherium and Megatherium, but then groups of large mammals usually have their origins in smaller ancestors. Although not as awe inspiring in terms of size, Hapalops probably could do something that was impossible for its later … Read more
In Depth Makaracetus is a genus of protocetid whale that lived in Pakistan during the Eocene. The most notable feature of Makaracetus is the strange shaped snout which dips down, and may be a sign that Makaracetus had a proboscis, alternatively known as a trunk, that may have been similar to a tapirs. This was … Read more
In Depth In the on-going evolution of horses Pliohippus represents the next stage after forms like Merychippus. The most noted feature of Pliohippus is that it has even more developed hoof feet supported by the middle toe, with the two side toes being reduced so much that in life they would have been barely visible … Read more
In Depth Platyosphys is a genus of basilosaurid whale known to have ranged across the Atlantic Ocean and throughout European and north African waters. Further Reading - A Review of the Archaeoceti. - Carnegie Institution of Washington 482:1-366 - R. Kellogg - 1936. - New fauna of archaeocete whales (Mammalia, Cetacea) from the Bartonian middle … Read more
In Depth Members of the genus Xenohystrix are prehistoric relatives of Hystrix cristata, also known as the crested porcupine which lives in Africa today. Like with their living relatives, Xenohystrix would be expected to have a covering of sharp quills to protect them from predators. Also like living porcupines, Xenohystrix may have eaten plants and … Read more