| Prosantorhinus Temporal range: Miocene | |
|---|---|
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Scientific classification  | |
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Chordata |
| Class: | Mammalia |
| Order: | Perissodactyla |
| Family: | Rhinocerotidae |
| Subfamily: | † Aceratheriinae |
| Genus: | † Prosantorhinus Heissig, 1973 [1] |
| Species | |
Prosantorhinus douvillei Contents | |
Prosantorhinus is an extinct genus of rhinocerotid that lived during the Early and Middle Miocene subepochs. The small rhinocerotid was found in Western Europe and Asia. [2]
Prosantorhinus was a similarly sized animal to the Sumatran rhinoceros, it stood at around 4 ft 3 in (130 cm) at the shoulder and was about 9 ft 6 in (290 cm) long, weight estimates however are considerably bigger due to its considerably deeper chest. [3] The body plan of Prosantorhinus is stubbier than that of other rhinocerotids, and its brachyodont molars would seem to suggest Prosantorhinus led a semiaquatic life, similar to a hippopotamus, possibly feeding on fresh water plants. [4] [5] The tooth eruption sequence of P. germanicus was identical to that of the present-day black rhinoceros, suggesting that it was a slow-growing and long-lived mammal. [6] The rugged texture at the tip of its snout could suggest the existence of one, maybe two, small horns; however it has been traditionally reconstructed with a fleshy bump. [7]
Study of the dental mesowear and microwear of P. douvillei reveals that it was a folivorous browser. [8]
One juvenile P. germanicus specimen is known to show signs of major prenatal stress in the form of enamel hypoplasia found in a deciduous postcanine tooth. Another shows signs of hypercementosis, an abnormal deposition of cementum, and mandibular bone resorption, which was likely caused by periodontitis that developed as a result of dental calculus buildup and gingivitis. [9]
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