Protolabis
Appearance
Protolabis Temporal range:
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Scientific classification | |
Domain: | Eukaryota |
Kingdom: | Animalia |
Phylum: | Chordata |
Class: | Mammalia |
Order: | Artiodactyla |
Family: | Camelidae |
Tribe: | Camelini |
Genus: | †Protolabis Cope (1876) |
Species | |
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Protolabis is an extinct genus of terrestrial herbivore in the family Camelidae, endemic to North America from the Oligocene through Miocene 30.8—10.3 mya, existing for approximately 20.5 million years.[1]
Taxonomy
Protolabis was named by Cope (1876). It was assigned to Camelidae by Cope (1876) and Carroll (1988).[2]
Morphology
Body mass
Four specimens were examined for estimated body mass by M. Mendoza, C. M. Janis, and P. Palmqvist. These specimens were estimated to weigh:
- 451.7 kg (1,000 lb)
- 231.4 kg (510 lb)
- 342.7 kg (760 lb)
- 511.5 kg (1,100 lb) [3]
Fossil distribution
Fossil distribution is widespread from Nicaragua, Central America to Montana and throughout the western U.S.
References
- ^ PaleoBiology Database: Protolabis, basic info
- ^ R. L. Carroll. 1988. Vertebrate Paleontology and Evolution. W. H. Freeman and Company, New York 1-698
- ^ 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