Pseudoprotoceras

Pseudoprotoceras is an extinct genus of Artiodactyla, of the family Protoceratidae, endemic to central North America. It lived during the Late Eocene 37.2—33.9 Ma, existing for approximately 3 million years .[1] Pseudoprotoceras resembled hornless[2] deer, but were more closely related to camelids.

Pseudoprotoceras
Temporal range: Late Eocene
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Skeleton
Scientific classification
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Class: Mammalia
Order: Artiodactyla
Family: †Protoceratidae
Genus: †Pseudoprotoceras
Cook 1934
Type species
†Pseudoprotoceras longinaris
Species
  • P. longinaris Cook 1934
  • P. minor Wilson 1974
  • P. taylori Emry & Storer 1981

Body mass was similar to other Eocene protoceratids such as Heteromeryx and Poabromylus yet greater than Leptotragulus and Leptoreodon. Miocene members were apparently larger as well.

References
  1. Pseudoprotoceras at fossilworks
  2. Emry, R. J., and J. E. Storer. 1981. The hornless protoceratid Pseudoprotoceras (Tylopoda: Artiodactyla) in the early Oligocene of Saskatchewan and Wyoming. Journal of Vertebrate Paleontology 1:101-110
  • McKenna, Malcolm C., and Bell, Susan K. 1997. Classification of Mammals Above the Species Level. Columbia University Press, New York, 631 pp. ISBN 0-231-11013-8


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