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
Although classed as an amphicyonine bear dog, Haplocyonoides is sometimes further divided into a group called the Haplocyoninae. This group also includes Haplocyon and Haplocyonopsis.
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
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