Entelodon

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Entelodon
Temporal range: 37.2–28.4 Ma Houldjinian–Rupelian
Entelodon magnus 2 canines MHNT.PAL.2013.0.1016.1-2.jpg
Two mandibular canines of E. magnus at the MHNT
Scientific classification e
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Class: Mammalia
Order: Artiodactyla
Family: †Entelodontidae
Genus: †Entelodon
Type species
Entelodon magnus
Aymard, 1846
Species
  • †E. magnus (type species)Aymard, 1846
  • †E. ronzonii Aymard, 1846
  • †E. aymardi (Pomel, 1853)
  • †E. verdeaui (Delfortrie, 1874)
  • †E. deguilhemi Repelin, 1918
  • †E. antiquus Repelin, 1919
  • †E. dirus Matthew and Granger, 1923
  • †E. gobiensis (Trofimov, 1952)
  • †E. major (Biriukov, 1961)
Synonyms
  • Elotherium Pommel, 1847

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]

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.

Description[]

Size comparison between E. deguilhemi and a human

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.

European species of Entelodon were around 1.35 metres (4 ft 5 in) tall at the shoulders, with a 65 centimetres (26 in) skull.[3] Entelodon major, known from the Kutanbulak Formation in Kazakhstan was around 1.70 metres (5 ft 7 in) tall at the shoulders, with a 80 centimetres (31 in) skull, making it one of the largest entelodonts.

Paleoecology[]

Restoration by Charles R. Knight

Entelodon remains are primarily known from Europe, although fossils have also been found in Kazakhstan, Mongolia, China, and even as far east as Japan.

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]

See also[]

  • Allosaurus Jardin des Plantes.png Paleontology portal

References[]

  1. ^ Prothero, Donald and Foss, Scott The Evolution of Artiodactyls The Johns Hopkins University Press. 2007 p. 121
  2. ^ PaleoBiology Database: Entelodon, basic info
  3. ^ Jump up to: a b c d e Agustí, J and Antón, M (2002). Mammoths, Sabertooths, and Hominids: 65 Million Years of Mammalian Evolution in Europe. Retrieved from Google Books
  4. ^ Jump up to: a b Joeckel, R.M. A functional interpretation of the masticatory system and paleoecology of entelodonts. Retrieved from www.jstor.org
  5. ^ Paleobiology Database:Entelodon deguilhemi
  6. ^ Paleobiology Database:Entelodon dirus
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