Notochoerus

Notochoerus Temporal range: Miocene–Pliocene PreꞒ Ꞓ O S D C P T J K Pg N
The extant warthog (left) in comparison with the extinct Metridiochoerus andrewsi (centre) and Notochoerus eulius (right)
Scientific classification
Domain:	Eukaryota
Kingdom:	Animalia
Phylum:	Chordata
Class:	Mammalia
Order:	Artiodactyla
Family:	Suidae
Subfamily:	† Tetraconodontinae
Genus:	† Notochoerus
Species
N. capensis N. clarki N. euilus N. scotti

Notochoerus is an extinct genus of very large pigs from the subfamily Tetraconodontinae. Fossils have been found in Africa, notably Uganda and Ethiopia. ^[1]

Description

Notochoerus were among the largest pigs ever, with adults weighing up to 450 kg (990 lb). ^{[2] [3]} These pigs were likely derived from the genus Nyanzachoerus . Like other tetraconodontine pigs, the males had ornamental growths on their skulls, formed from enamel.

Palaeoecology

Notochoerus is believed to have been specialised for arid environments and fed on abrasive vegetation, and some researchers attribute this supposed overspecialisation to have caused the Notochoerus to be maladapted for more variable environments. ^[4] Notochoerus jaegeri had more hypsodont teeth in comparison to the contemporary Nyanzachoerus kanamensis, suggesting the former relied more heavily on grazing compared to the latter. ^[5]

References

1. White, Tim D.; Suwa, Gen (2004). "A new species of Notochoerus (Artiodactyla, Suidae) from the Pliocene of Ethiopia". Journal of Vertebrate Paleontology. 24 (2): 474–480. Bibcode:2004JVPal..24..474W. doi:10.1671/2499.
2. Evolving Eden By Alan Turner and Mauricio Anton
3. Cranium: Tijdschrift Van de Werkgroep Pleistocene Zoogdieren. Volumes 22-23. Het Werkgroep. 2005. p. 28. Retrieved 31 August 2022.
4. Rannikko, Janina; Žliobaitė, Indrė; Fortelius, Mikael (1 December 2017). "Relative abundances and palaeoecology of four suid genera in the Turkana Basin, Kenya, during the late Miocene to Pleistocene". Palaeogeography, Palaeoclimatology, Palaeoecology . 487: 187–193. doi:10.1016/j.palaeo.2017.08.033. hdl: 10852/65200 . Retrieved 1 February 2025– via Elsevier Science Direct.
5. Dumouchel, Laurence; Bobe, René (March 2020). "Paleoecological implications of dental mesowear and hypsodonty in fossil ungulates from Kanapoi" . Journal of Human Evolution . 140: 102548. doi:10.1016/j.jhevol.2018.11.004 . Retrieved 3 March 2025– via Elsevier Science Direct.