Biology:Saotherium

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Short description: Extinct genus of hippopotamus

Saotherium
Temporal range: Early Pliocene
5.3–4.0 Ma
Scientific classification edit
Domain: Eukaryota
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Class: Mammalia
Order: Artiodactyla
Family: Hippopotamidae
Genus: Saotherium
Boisserie, 2005[1]
Species:
S. mingoz
Binomial name
Saotherium mingoz
Boisserie, 2005

Saotherium is an extinct genus of hippopotamid from the Early Pliocene of Africa, specifically Chad. It is represented by a single species, S. mingoz. The earliest fossils appear at the start of the Pliocene, while the latest are dated to about 4 mya.[2]

Saotherium was a small hippopotamid similar to the pygmy hippopotamus in size and morphology. The elongated shape of its brain case and the relatively large orbits suggest a possible evolutionary relationship with the latter.[3][4]

References

  1. "Saotherium". http://www.fossilworks.org/cgi-bin/bridge.pl?a=taxonInfo&taxon_no=77324. 
  2. Boisserie, J-R. (2005). "The phylogeny and taxonomy of Hippopotamidae (Mammalia: Artiodactyla): a review based on morphology and cladistic analysis". Zoological Journal of the Linnean Society 143 (1): 1-26. doi:10.1111/j.1096-3642.2004.00138.x. https://wp.ufpel.edu.br/cdrehmer/files/2017/06/hipopotamo-STREHER.pdf&ved=2ahUKEwiH6sbXo-nyAhXnYd8KHSXyDcMQFnoECCcQAQ&usg=AOvVaw29pwmpaGVDPWgXY_9OR2ir. 
  3. Prothero, Donald R. (2007). The Evolution of Artiodactyls. Johns Hopkins University Press. p. 112. ISBN 9780801887352. 
  4. Kingdon, Jonathan (2014). Mammals of Africa: Volume VI - Hippopotamuses, Pigs, Deer, Giraffe and Bovids. Bloomsbury Publishing. p. 79. ISBN 9781408189955. 

Wikidata ☰ Q21369059 entry