Pterogaulus

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Pterogaulus
Temporal range: Miocene Barstovian–Hemphillian
Scientific classification OOjs UI icon edit-ltr.svg
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Class: Mammalia
Order: Rodentia
Family:† Mylagaulidae
Genus:† Pterogaulus
Korth, 2000
Species
  • P. laevis (Matthew, 1902)
  • P. barbarellae (Korth, 2000)
Synonyms
  • Mylagaulus laevis

Pterogaulus is a genus of mylagauline rodent from Miocene North America. [1]

Contents

Description

Similar to other members of Mylagaulidae, Pterogaulus was fossorial, living in underground burrows. These burrows could be as long as 7 meters in length, and were similar in construction to modern gophers. [2] Despite being grouped closely with the horned Ceratogaulus , Pterogaulus lacks any indication of nasal horns. [3] The post-orbital processes are large, and the premolars bear a small depression. [4] [3] [5] The fourth premolar in particular has a branched pattern, with an antero-posteriorly elongated enamel lake. [6] [5]

Classification

Pterogaulus is grouped with the derived subfamily Mylagaulinae within Mylagaulidae, closest to the genus Umbogaulus . [6]

References

  1. ↑ "Mindat.org". www.mindat.org. Retrieved 2025-10-25.
  2. ↑ Gobetz, Katrina E. (2006-08-04). "Possible burrows of mylagaulids (Rodentia: Aplodontoidea: Mylagaulidae) from the late Miocene (Barstovian) Pawnee Creek Formation of northeastern Colorado". Palaeogeography, Palaeoclimatology, Palaeoecology. 237 (2): 119–136. doi:10.1016/j.palaeo.2005.09.004. ISSN   0031-0182.
  3. 1 2 Carnegie Museum; Museum, Carnegie; History, Carnegie Museum of Natural (2000). Annals of the Carnegie Museum. Vol. v.69 (2000:Feb.-Nov.). [Pittsburgh]: Published by authority of the Board of Trustees of the Carnegie Institute.
  4. ↑ Rivp, Paludicola (2012-01-01). "Paludicola vol 8, issue 4 May 2012". Rochester Institute of Vertebrate Paleontology.
  5. 1 2 Korth, William W. (2013-09-01). "Mylagaulid Rodents (Mammalia: Rodentia: Mylagaulidae) from the Middle Miocene (Barstovian) of New Mexico". Annals of Carnegie Museum. 81 (4): 233–245. doi:10.2992/007.081.0403.
  6. 1 2 Hopkins, Samantha S. B. (2005-08-22). "The evolution of fossoriality and the adaptive role of horns in the Mylagaulidae (Mammalia: Rodentia)". Proceedings. Biological Sciences. 272 (1573): 1705–1713. doi:10.1098/rspb.2005.3171. ISSN   0962-8452. PMC   1559849 . PMID   16087426.
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