Alforjas
| Alforjas Temporal range:
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|---|---|
Scientific classification 
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| Domain: | Eukaryota |
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Chordata |
| Class: | Mammalia |
| Order: | Artiodactyla |
| Family: | Camelidae |
| Tribe: | Lamini |
| Genus: | †Alforjas Harrison (1979) |
| Species | |
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Alforjas is an extinct genus of terrestrial herbivore the family Camelidae, endemic to North America during the Miocene through Pliocene 10.30—5.3 mya existing for approximately 5 million years.[1]
Taxonomy
Alforjas was named by Harrison (1979). Its type is Alforjas taylori. It was assigned to Camelidae by Harrison (1979) and Carroll (1988).[2] They are most closely related to Camelops.
Etymology
Alfrojas is Spanish for the saddle bags used on domestic llamas. The name has a regional association with the meaning of humps or lumps. [3]
Morphology
A single specimen was examined for estimated body mass by M. Mendoza, C. M. Janis, and P. Palmqvist. The specimen was estimated to weigh 623.3 kg (1,400 lb).[4]
Alforjas differs from Pliauchenia, Hemiauchenia, Palaeolama, and Lama in its greater height of crown, larger size, and longer rostrum.[5]
References
- ^ PaleoBiology Database: Alforjas, basic info
- ^ R. L. Carroll. 1988. Vertebrate Paleontology and Evolution. W. H. Freeman and Company, New York 1-698
- ^ http://kuscholarworks.ku.edu/dspace/bitstream/1808/3664/3/paleo.paper.095op.pdf
- ^ M. Mendoza, C. M. Janis, and P. Palmqvist. 2006. Estimating the body mass of extinct ungulates: a study on the use of multiple regression. Journal of Zoology 270(1):90-101
- ^ http://kuscholarworks.ku.edu/dspace/bitstream/1808/3664/3/paleo.paper.095op.pdf
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