Sphenocoelus
| Sphenocoelus Temporal range: Middle Eocene
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| Skeletal reconstruction of Sphenocoelus sp. | |
| Scientific classification Edit this classification | |
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Chordata |
| Class: | Mammalia |
| Order: | Perissodactyla |
| Family: | †Brontotheriidae |
| Genus: | †Sphenocoelus Osborn, 1895 |
| Species | |
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| Synonyms | |
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Sphenocoelus is an extinct genus of brontothere known from North America and Asia during the Middle Eocene.[1]
Description
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Sphenocoelus is an average-sized brontothere, with a dolichocephalic skull.[2][3] The narials of Sphenocoelus have been compared to those of the genus Metarhinus, with the nasal cavity being incredibly large. Because of this, it has been proposed that Sphenocoelus had an excellent sense of smell.[4] Some specimens of Sphenocoelus bear a prominent sagittal crests, though others lack them entirely.[5] The molars are long and narrow, and the third and fourth premolars have a cusp on the posterior medial (central hind) portion of the tooth.[2] They bear 4 digits on the forefeet.[6]
Classification
[edit | edit source]Sphenocoelus has had a complicated classification history, with many genera being split off or lumped within the group at various times.[5][6] Currently, Sphenocoelus is placed within Brontotheriidae.[2][6][5]
References
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