In Depth Originally though to be a member of the Archaeoceti, Kekenodon has more recently been considered to be a mysticetid (baleen) whale. Unfortunately the fragmentary nature of the holotype fossils makes is hard to be certain of distinct physical features about Kekenodon. Further Reading - Notes on New Zealand Cetacea, recent and fossil. - … Read more
In Depth Necrolestes is only known from partial remains, but the snout (the best preserved part) has an upturned tip. This has led to speculation that Necrolestes may have had a fleshy appendage similar to that seen on the star nosed mole (Condylura cristata). This in turn has led to speculation that Necrolestes may have … Read more
In Depth Togocetus is a genus of primitive whale that was first discovered in a phosphate mine that is early Eocene in age. Togocetus is noted for being similar to genera such as Protocetus and Pappocetus. Further Reading - A new archaeocete and other marine mammals (Cetacea and Sirenia) from lower middle Eocene phosphate deposits … Read more
In Depth Although details are uncertain, Kutchicetus is noted as being a small remingtonocetid whale (relative of Remingtonocetus). The tail of Kutchicetus seems to have been quite well developed and may have played a more important role in swimming than other primitive whales, though there is no evidence that a tail fluke had been developed. … Read more
In Depth As a member of the Protoceratidae, Syndyoceras would have been similar to a modern deer or antelope in general build and representative of a group of animals that were fairly common during the Miocene. Protoceratids are often noted for the elaborate horns that grew from their heads and Syndyoceras is no exception. Like … Read more
In Depth At almost seventy kilos, Adilophontes was a large daphoenine bear dog, a group of bear dogs so far only known from North America. This large size meant that it was even larger than the largest species of Hyaenodon in North America, H. horridus, and along with other large forms such as Amphicyon and … Read more
In Depth For the first part of their taxonomic life, fossils of Lufengpithecus were actually known as Ramapithecus lufengensis (‘Rama ape from Lufeng). Between 1975 and 1976 however, much more complete fossils of Ramapithecus were recovered, but instead of allowing for more complete restoration of this ape they led to the realisation that the genus … Read more
In Depth Aegyptonycteris is a genus of bat that lived in Egypt during the Eocene. Though only known form partial remains, Aegyptonycteris seems to have had an omnivorous diet, revealing that as the bats evolved, they were relatively quick to adapt to different ecological niches. Further Reading - A New Family of Large Omnivorous Bats … Read more
In Depth Phascolonus was a genus of giant wombat that lived in Australia during the Pleistocene period. Fossils of this genus have been found at one of the most well-known areas for Pleistocene animals in Australia, Lake Callabonna. Lake Callabonna is especially well known for the remains of the huge Diprotodon, another large wombat that … Read more
In Depth Eohippus is a classic prehistoric mammal, dubbed as one of the earliest and smallest horses ever to live. There has in the past been some taxonomic confusion over the validity of the genus, and at one time Eohippus was actually regarded as belonging to another genus named Hyracotherium. Later thought has cast doubt … Read more