Merycoides
| Merycoides Temporal range: Late Oligocene
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|---|---|
Scientific classification 
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| Domain: | Eukaryota |
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Chordata |
| Class: | Mammalia |
| Order: | Artiodactyla |
| Family: | †Merycoidodontidae |
| Genus: | †Merycoides Douglass (1907) |
| Type species | |
| †Merycoides cursor | |
| Species | |
|
see text | |
| Synonyms | |
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Merycoides is an extinct genus of oreodont of the subfamily Merycoidodontinae endemic to North America during the Whitneyan stage of the Oligocene-Late Oligocene epochs (30.8—24.8 mya), existing for approximately 6 million years.[1]
Taxonomy
Merycoides was named by Douglass (1907). Its type species is Merycoides cursor. It was synonymized subjectively with Mesoreodon by Loomis (1920). It was assigned to Merycoidodontidae by Douglass (1907), Loomis (1924), Thorpe (1937) and Lander (1998)., Thorpe 1937. It is synonymous with Paramerychyus.[2][3]
Morphology
Two specimens were examined by M. Mendoza for body mass. Specimen one was estimated to have a weight of 67.6 kg (149 lbs). Specimen two was estimated to have a weight of 118.3 kg (260.8 lbs).[4]
Fossil distribution
Fossils have been uncovered throughout the western U.S. as well as Florida.
Species
Merycoides cursor, M. harrisonensis, M. longiceps, M. pariogonus, M. relictus
Related genera
Related genera include the other members of the subfamily Promerycochoerinae, including Promesodreodon and Promerycochoerus
References
- ^ PaleoBiology Database: Sespia, basic info
- ^ F. B. Loomis. 1920. American Journal of Science
- ^ B. Lander. 1998. Oreodontoidea. In C. M. Janis, K. M. Scott, and L. L. Jacobs (eds.), Evolution of Tertiary mammals of North America 402-425
- ^ 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
External links
- [1] San Diego Natural History Museum "Fossil Mysteries Field Guide: Sespia californica
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