Biology:Paralabis

From HandWiki

Paralabis
Temporal range: Oligocene
Scientific classification e
Domain: Eukaryota
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Class: Mammalia
Order: Artiodactyla
Family: Camelidae
Tribe: Camelini
Genus: Paralabis
McKenna (1966)
Species
  • P. cedrensis

Paralabis is an extinct genus of terrestrial herbivore in the family Camelidae, endemic to North America from the Oligocene 33.3—30.8 mya, existing for approximately 2.5 million years.[1]

Taxonomy

Paralabis was named by McKenna (1966) [named as subgenus by Lull 1921; raised to genus level]. It was assigned to Camelidae by McKenna (1966) and Honey et al. (1998).[2]

Morphology

Body mass

Four specimens were examined for estimated body mass by M. Mendoza, C. M. Janis, and P. Palmqvist. These specimens were estimated to weigh:

  • 92 kg (200 lb)
  • 49.7 kg (110 lb)
  • 37 kg (82 lb)
  • 33.8 kg (75 lb) [3]

Fossil distribution

Fossil distribution is restricted to Wyoming and eastern Nebraska.

References

  1. PaleoBiology Database: Paralabis, basic info
  2. J. G. Honey, J. A. Harrison, D. R. Prothero and M. S. Stevens. 1998. Camelidae. In C. M. Janis, K. M. Scott, and L. L. Jacobs (eds.), Evolution of Tertiary Mammals of North America 1:439-462
  3. M. Mendoza, C. M. Janis, and P. Palmqvist. 2006. Estimating the body mass of extinct ungulates: a study on the use of multiple regression. Journal of Zoology 270(1):90-101