In Depth Eurotamandua acquired its name from its similarity to the modern day Tamandua, better known as an ‘anteater’. However, the Tamandua is a member of the Xenarthra, and although Eurotamandua was initially assigned to this group, more modern thinking and analysis leans more towards Eurotamandua being a pangolin. Although still similar, this would mean … Read more
In Depth Although it looks a lot like a small primitive horse, Diadiaphorus was actually a litoptern. True horses evolved in the North and did not even get the opportunity to reach South America until the formation of the isthmus of Panama triggered the event that is called the Great American Interchange. The similarity to … Read more
In Depth Eomysticetus is a genus of very primitive baleen whale that is known to have swum in waters off the South Eastern coast of the United States of America. Rather than conical teeth, Eomysticetus had baleen, keratin (the same biological material that your hair and nails are made from) formed like the bristles of … Read more
In Depth Orycterocetus was one of the many predatory whales that swam in the Miocene oceans with included Acrophyseter, Livyatan and Zygophyseter among others. Orycterocetus also has a connection with the whale Aulophyseter on the basis that some of the fossil material attributed to Aulophyseter bears similarities to fossil material from Orycterocetus. This has brought … Read more
In Depth Pierolapithecus is one of the most important of the known prehistoric apes because it is widely regarded as the ancestral form to not only today’s apes, but also humans. To put this statement into its full context however, Pierolapithecus was not necessarily ‘the’ ancestor, but in terms of physical features, it displays a … Read more
In Depth Moropus seems to have been larger than most other chalicotheres, and its broad distribution and numerous remains indicate that it was one of the most common animals alive in North America during the early stages of the Miocene. Moropus also seems to have not walked upon its knuckles to protect its claws like … Read more
In Depth Piscobalaena is a genus of filter feeding whale known to have inhibited the waters between South and North America during the Miocene. This seaway was a popular transit route for whales swimming from the Atlantic Ocean into the Pacific and back again. It was also fraught with danger however as giant sharks, including … Read more
In Depth Though only named from a jaw and associated fore limb bones, the 2013 description of Rhizosmilodon meant excitement for anyone interested in the machairodonts, better known as the sabre-toothed cats. As of 2013, Rhizosmilodon is considered to be the oldest known member of the Smilodontini, the type genus of which is the world … Read more
In Depth Gagadon is a genus of artiodactylan mammal that lived in North America during the Eocene. Gagadon is named after the pop singer Lady Gaga. Also in 2014 another mammal genus was named after a famous singer, this time Mick Jagger, and the animal genus in question being Jaggermeryx. Further Reading - A new … Read more
In Depth Whereas most modern mustelids are relatively small predators that hunt small animals, Megalictis was the prehistoric giant that was comparable to modern dogs and big cats. However exactly how big remains a matter of debate amongst researchers with some saying that Megalictis was relatively light weight at around twenty kilograms, with others suggesting … Read more