Sanitheriidae

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Sanitheriidae
Temporal range: Early Miocene–Middle Miocene
Diamantohyus africanus 2.jpg
Rostrum material of Diamantohyus africanus.
Scientific classification OOjs UI icon edit-ltr.svg
Domain: Eukaryota
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Class: Mammalia
Order: Artiodactyla
Suborder: Suina
Family: Sanitheriidae
Simpson, 1945
Genera

Sanitheriidae is an extinct family of suoid artiodactyl ungulates that were once widely distributed in Africa, Europe, and South Asia, existing from the Early Miocene to the Middle Miocene. Unlike pigs and peccaries, the dentition and limb morphology suggests the sanitheres were more carnivorous and cursorial. The dentition in particular is similar to early ruminants. Only two genera are recognized: Sanitherium and Diamantohyus . [1] [2] [3]

References

  1. Pickford, M. (1984). "A revision of the Sanitheriidae, a new family of Suiformes (Mammalia)". Geobios. 17 (2): 133–154. Bibcode:1984Geobi..17..133P. doi:10.1016/S0016-6995(84)80139-4.
  2. Pickford, M. (2004). "Miocene Sanitheriidae (Suiformes, Mammalia) from Namibia and Kenya: systematic and phylogenetic implications". Annales de Paléontologie. 90 (4): 223–278. Bibcode:2004AnPal..90..223P. doi:10.1016/j.annpal.2004.06.002.
  3. Harris, J.M.; Liu, L.-P. (2007). "Superfamily Suoidea". In Prothero, D.R.; Foss, S.E. (eds.). The Evolution of Artiodactyls. The Johns Hopkins University Press. pp. 130–150. ISBN   9780801887352.