Synthetoceras
Name:
Synthetoceras
(combined horn).
Phonetic: Sin-fet-o-seh-ras
Named By: R. A. Stirton - 1932.
Classification: Chordata, Mammalia,
Artiodactyla, Protoceratidae.
Species: S. davisorum
(type), S. tricornatus.
Diet: Herbivore.
Size: Roughly about 1.1 meters tall at the
shoulder.
Known locations: Mexico - Suchilquitongo
Formation. USA, Alabama - Citronelle Formation, Florida -
Alachua Formation, Nebraska - Valentine Formation, Texas -
Goliad Formation.
Time period: Miocene.
Fossil representation: Partial remains of multiple
individuals.
Synthetoceras
is one of the better known members of the Protoceratidae, and this is
thanks to the head ornamentation of the males of this genus. Rising
above the eyes and ears was a pair of horns that curved upwards forming
a crescent shape when viewed from the front. Then things get a little
different with a single much longer horn rising up from the front of
the snout. As this horn rises it splits again to form a V shape
towards the top. Seemingly this horn was only present upon males,
and was almost certainly a display feature not just serving for
species recognition but for impressing female Synthetoceras.
The horn
may have also been a way for rival males to determine who was
stronger, and when that failed, perhaps even become a weapon when
disputes turned violent.
Like
similar members of the Protoceratidae, Synthetoceras
would have been
a fairly nimble footed herbivore, relying upon staying alert and
quick reflexes to remove itself from danger. Possible predatory
threats to Synthetoceras could include certain false
sabre toothed cats
as well as bear
dogs, though such predators would have needed to get
in close for a successful ambush.
Further reading
- A New Genus of Artiodactyla From the Clarendon Lower Pliocene of
Texas. University of California Publications. - Bulletin of the
Department of Geological Sciences 21(6):147-168. - R. A.
Stirton - 1932.
- Late Miocene mammals from the Mauvilla Local Fauna, Alabama. -
Bulletin of the Florida Museum of Natural History 46(1):1-28.
- R. C. Hulbert & F. C. Whitmore - 2006.
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