Entelodon
| Entelodon Temporal range: 37.2–28.4 Ma | |
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| Illustration by Charles R. Knight | |
Scientific classification  | |
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Chordata |
| Class: | Mammalia |
| Order: | Artiodactyla |
| Family: | †Entelodontidae |
| Genus: | †Entelodon |
| Type species | |
| Entelodon magnus Aymard, 1846 | |
| Species | |
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| Synonyms | |
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Entelodon (meaning "complete teeth", from Ancient Greek ἐντελής entelēs "complete" and ὀδών odōn "tooth", referring to its "complete" eutherian dentition[1]), is an extinct genus of entelodont artiodactyl endemic to Eurasia. Fossils of species are found in Paleogene strata ranging in age from the Houldjinian (37.2–33.9 mya) until the Rupelian epoch of the early Oligocene (33.9–28.4 mya).[2]
Description
Entelodon was a fairly typical entelodont, with a large, bulky body, slender legs, and a long snout.
Like other entelodonts, Entelodon had complete eutherian dentition (3 incisors, 1 canine, 3 premolars, and 3 molars per quadrant). It had only two toes on each foot, and its legs were built for fast running.[3] Its long, wide head was supported by a robust, short neck,[3] and its cheekbones were greatly enlarged and protruded noticeably from the sides of the head.[4] Though it was more closely related to hippos and whales than pigs, its skull was generally pig-like.[3][4] It is presumed to have been an omnivore.
Entelodon was around 1.35 m (4.4 ft) tall at the shoulders, with a 65 cm (2 ft 2in) skull.[3]
Two mandibular canines E. magnus MHNT
Illustration by Heinrich Harder
Size comparison between E. deguilhemi and a human
Distribution
Entelodon remains are primarily known from Europe, although one Entelodon specimen was found as far as northern China.
Entelodon magnus populated a broad swath of Europe, with remains found in Spain, Germany, France, Romania, and the Caucasus. Extensive remains of Entelodon deguilhemi were uncovered in Vayres-sur-Essonne, France.[3][5] The Chinese Entelodon dirus is known from a single tooth discovered in Nei Mongol.[6]
Taxonomy
It is one of four entelodont genera native to Eurasia, the other three being the primitive Eoentelodon of late Eocene China, Proentelodon of middle Eocene Mongolia and the gigantic Paraentelodon of mid to late Oligocene Central Asia.
In popular culture
Entelodon was featured in the third episode of the popular BBC documentary Walking with Beasts. In the program, the narrator always calls the creatures "Entelodonts", instead of the specific genus name.[7]
References
- ↑ Prothero, Donald and Foss, Scott The Evolution of Artiodactyls The Johns Hopkins University Press. 2007 p. 121
- ↑ PaleoBiology Database: Entelodon, basic info
- 1 2 3 4 5 Agustí, J and Antón, M (2002). Mammoths, Sabertooths, and Hominids: 65 Million Years of Mammalian Evolution in Europe. Retrieved from Google Books
- 1 2 Joeckel, R.M. A functional interpretation of the masticatory system and paleoecology of entelodonts. Retried from www.jstor.org
- ↑ Paleobiology Database:Entelodon deguilhemi
- ↑ Paleobiology Database:Entelodon dirus
- ↑ ABC - Science - Beasts