Entelodon Explained

Entelodon (meaning 'complete teeth', from Ancient Greek Greek, Ancient (to 1453);: ἐντελής entelēs 'complete' and Greek, Ancient (to 1453);: ὀδών odōn 'tooth', referring to its "complete" eutherian dentition[1]), formerly called Elotherium, 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

Entelodon was a fairly typical entelodont, with a large, bulky body, slender legs, and a long snout.[3] [4] [5]

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.[6] Its long, wide head was supported by a robust, short neck, and its cheekbones were greatly enlarged and protruded noticeably from the sides of the head.[7] Though it was more closely related to hippos and whales than pigs, its skull was generally pig-like. It is presumed to have been an omnivore.

European species of Entelodon were around tall at the shoulders, with a skull. Entelodon major, known from the Kutanbulak Formation in Kazakhstan was around tall at the shoulders, with a skull, making it one of the largest entelodonts.

Paleoecology

Entelodon remains are primarily known from Europe,[8] [9] [10] 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.[11] The Chinese Entelodon dirus is known from a single tooth discovered in Nei Mongol.[12]

Notes and References

  1. Book: Foss, Scott E.. The Evolution of Artiodactyls. Johns Hopkins University Press. 2007. 9780801887352. Prothero. Donald R.. Baltimore. 120–129. Family Entelodontidae. Foss. Scott E..
  2. http://paleodb.org/cgi-bin/bridge.pl?action=checkTaxonInfo&taxon_no=42369&is_real_user=1 PaleoBiology Database: Entelodon, basic info
  3. Book: Foss, Scott E.. Systematics and Paleobiology of the Entelodontidae (Mammalia, Artiodactyla). Ph.D Dissertation. Department of Biological Sciences, Northern Illinois University. 2001. DeKalb, Illinois. .
  4. Scott. W. B.. 1898. The Osteology of Elotherium. Transactions of the American Philosophical Society. 19. 3. 273–324. 10.2307/1005496. 0065-9746. 1005496.
  5. Marsh. O. C.. 1894-05-01. Restoration of Elotherium. American Journal of Science. s3-47. 281. 407–408. 10.2475/ajs.s3-47.281.407. 1894AmJS...47..407M. 130683520. 0002-9599.
  6. Agustí, J and Antón, M (2002). Mammoths, Sabertooths, and Hominids: 65 Million Years of Mammalian Evolution in Europe. Retrieved from Google Books
  7. 2400970. A Functional Interpretation of the Masticatory System and Paleoecology of Entelodonts. Joeckel. R. M.. Paleobiology. 1990. 16. 4. 459–482. 10.1017/S0094837300010198.
  8. Aymard. A.. 1846. Essai monographique sur un nouveau genre de mammifere' fossile trouve dans la Haute-Loire, et nomme Entelodon. Annales de la Société d'Agriculture, Sciences, Arts et Commerce du Puy. 12. 227–267.
  9. Pomel. A.. 1847. Note sur un nouveau genre de pachydermes du bassin de la Gironde (Elotherium magnum). Bulletin de la Société Géologique de France. 2. 4. 1083–1085.
  10. Pomel. A.. 1847. Sur un nouveau genre de Pachydermes fossiles (Elotherium) voisin des Hippopotames. Archives des Sciences Physiques et Naturelles. 5. 307–308.
  11. http://paleodb.org/cgi-bin/bridge.pl?a=basicTaxonInfo&taxon_no=95924 Paleobiology Database:Entelodon deguilhemi
  12. http://paleodb.org/cgi-bin/bridge.pl?a=basicTaxonInfo&taxon_no=101337 Paleobiology Database:Entelodon dirus