Diacodexis

Diacodexis Temporal range: Early Eocene
Diacodexis pakistanensis and Pakicetus inachus
Scientific classification
Kingdom:	Animalia
Phylum:	Chordata
Class:	Mammalia
Order:	Artiodactyla
Family:	†Dichobunidae
Genus:	†Diacodexis Cope, 1882
Species
†D. gracilis †D. ilicis †D. kelleyi †D. metsiacus †D. minutus †D. pakistanensis †D. primus †D. secans †D. woltonensis ?†D. absarokae

Diacodexis is an extinct genus of small herbivore mammal belonging to the family Dichobunidae which lived in North America, Europe and Asia from 55.4 mya—46.2 mya. and existing for approximately 9.2 million years.

Description

Jaw fragments

It is the oldest known even-toed ungulate. In life, it would have resembled a modern duiker, measuring about 50 centimetres (1.6 ft) in body length, but with a much longer tail. Unlike most later species of artiodactyl, it still had five toes on each foot, although the third and fourth toes were already elongated. It may also have had small hooves on each toe. Its teeth suggest that it was a herbivorous browser.^[1]

As suggested by its long legs, Diacodexis is believed to have been fast-running, capable of leaping relatively far.

Morphology

Fossil specimens of four individuals' body mass were examined by Legendre & Roth 1988.

• Specimen 1: 3.22 kg (7.1 lb)
• Specimen 2: 2.89 kg (6.4 lb)
• Specimen 3: 2.62 kg (5.8 lb)
• Specimen 4: 2.24 kg (4.9 lb)

Fossil distribution

It was widespread, with fossils having been found in Asia, Europe, and North America.

Notes

1. Palmer 1999, p. 266

References

• Legendre, S.; Roth, C. (1988). "Correlation of carnassial tooth size and body weight in recent carnivores (Mammalia)". Historical Biology. 1 (1). doi:10.1080/08912968809386468.
• Palmer, D. (1999). The Marshall Illustrated Encyclopedia of Dinosaurs and Prehistoric Animals. London: Marshall Editions. ISBN 1-84028-152-9.