Sphenocoelus

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Sphenocoelus
Temporal range: Middle Eocene 46–42  Ma
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Sphenocoelus skeleton, from Abel, O. (1919). Die Stamme der Wirbeltiere.jpg
Skeletal reconstruction of Sphenocoelus sp.
Scientific classification OOjs UI icon edit-ltr.svg
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Class: Mammalia
Order: Perissodactyla
Family:† Brontotheriidae
Genus:† Sphenocoelus
Osborn, 1895
Species
  • S. hyognathus (Osborn, 1889)
  • S. intermedius (Osborn, 1908)
  • S. uintensis (Osborn, 1895)
Synonyms
  • Dolichorhinus
  • Telmatherium vallidens
  • Manteoceras vallidens
  • Dolichorhinoides
  • Mesatirhinus superior

Sphenocoelus is an extinct genus of brontothere known from North America and Asia during the Middle Eocene. [1]

Contents

Description

Life reconstruction of Sphenocoelus intermedius (Formerly Mesatirhinus superior) by Robert Bruce Horsfall Mesatirhinus.jpg
Life reconstruction of Sphenocoelus intermedius (Formerly Mesatirhinus superior ) by Robert Bruce Horsfall

Sphenocoelus is an average-sized brontothere, with a dolichocephalic skull. [2] [3] The narials of Sphenocoelus have been compared to those of the genus Metarhinus , with the nasal cavity being incredibly large. Because of this, it has been proposed that Sphenocoelus had an excellent sense of smell. [4] Some specimens of Sphenocoelus bear a prominent sagittal crests, though others lack them entirely. [5] The molars are long and narrow, and the third and fourth premolars have a cusp on the posterior medial (central hind) portion of the tooth. [2] They bear 4 digits on the forefeet. [6]

Classification

Sphenocoelus has had a complicated classification history, with many genera being split off or lumped within the group at various times. [5] [6] Currently, Sphenocoelus is placed within Brontotheriidae. [2] [6] [5]

References

  1. ↑ "Mindat.org". www.mindat.org. Retrieved 2025-12-02.
  2. 1 2 3 Granger, Walter; Gregory, William K (1943). "A revision of the Mongolian titanotheres". Bulletin of the AMNH. 80 10. New York: American Museum of Natural History: 363–364.
  3. ↑ Osborn, Henry Fairfield; Peterson, Olof August (1895). "Fossil mammals of the Uinta Basin : expedition of 1894". Bulletin of the AMNH. 7 2. New York: American Museum of Natural History: 98–102.
  4. ↑ Mader, Bryn J. (2019-02-01). "The narial morphology of Metarhinus and Sphenocoelus (Mammalia, Perissodactyla, Brontotheriidae)". Society of Vertebrate Paleontology . 22 (22.1.8): 919. Bibcode:2019PalEl..22..919M. doi:10.26879/919 – via Palaeontologia Electronica.
  5. 1 2 3 Mader, Bryn J. (2008-07-30). "A species level revision of Bridgerian and Uintan brontotheres (Mammalia, Perissodactyla) exclusive of Palaeosyops". Zootaxa. 1837 (1): 1–85. Bibcode:2008Zoot.18377.1.1M. doi:10.11646/zootaxa.1837.1.1. ISSN   1175-5334.
  6. 1 2 3 Mihlbachler, Matthew (2008). "Species Taxonomy, Phylogeny, and Biogeography of the Brontotheriidae (Mammalia: Perissodactyla)". Bulletin of the American Museum of Natural History. 501: 1. doi:10.1206/0003-0090(2008)501[1:stpabo]2.0.co;2.

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