Proterix Explained

Proterix is an extinct genus of erinaceid mammal from the Late Oligocene to the Early Miocene of North America.

Ecology

Proterix was most likely a burrowing insectivore.^[1] The original reference suggests reduced limbs may be possible, due to the unusually high number of lumbar vertebrae, but cautions that conclusions must be reserved until a complete skeleton is found.^[2] This proposal was exaggerated in a popular science book by Dougal Dixon, which speculated that it may have been a limbless mammal with an armored head.^[3] Though very little of the post-cranial skeleton has been found, this situation is typical for mammals and not an indicator of unusual anatomy.^[4]

Notes and References

1. Macdonald . James Reid . 1961 . The lower dentition of Proterix loomisi Matthew? . Journal of Paleontology . 35 . 3 . 632–633.
2. Book: Bjork, Philip R. . Studies on Cenozoic Paleontology and Stratigraphy: Claude W. Hibbard Memorial Volume 3 . Museum of Paleontology, University of Michigan . 1975 . Smith . G.R. . Ann Arbor . 81–88 . Observations on the morphology of the hedgehog genus Proterix (Insectivora: Erinaceidae) . Friedland . N.E..
3. Book: Dixon, Dougal . Dougal Dixon

   . World Encyclopedia of Dinosaurs & Prehistoric Creatures . Lorenz Books . 2008 . 9780754817307 . New York . 447 . Dougal Dixon.

4. Gawne . C.E. . 1968 . The genus Proterix (Insectivora, Erinaceidae) of the Upper Oligocene of North America . American Museum Novitates . 2315 . 19 January 2013 . 2246/2525.