Mesonyx
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| Restoration by Charles R. Knight. | |
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Mesonyx
Cope, 1872
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Mesonyx ("middle claw") was a wolf-like mammal of the family Mesonychidae, the type family of the order Mesonychia (sometimes referred to by its older name, "Acreodi"), existing 51.8—51.7 Ma (AEO).[1]
Mesonyx measured about 1.5 m (5 ft) long not including the tail, and weighted an estimated 22.7–34 kg.[2][unreliable source?] It was a fast predator from the Middle Eocene of Wyoming, and it probably hunted hoofed plant eaters, moving lightly on its toes. However, instead of claws, Mesonyx's toes ended in small hooves. Its long skull had a relatively large sagittal crest above the braincase to anchor large jaw muscles and give it a powerful bite.
Mesonyx specimens have been unearthed in Colorado, Wyoming, Utah and China. Mesonyx uintensis from the Upper Eocene of Wyoming is described as having a total cranium length of 429 mm. (17 inches) and a facial length of 206 mm (8 inches). Another specimen of Mesonyx uintensis is known from the Upper Eocene of northern Utah.[3] Additional two species – Mesonyx uqbulakensis and M. nuhetingensis – have been described from the early Eocene Arshanto Formation in China.[4]
References
- ↑ Paleobiology Database, Mesonyx, collection #16240, Huerfano II site, Huerfano County, Colorado, authorized by John Alroy
- ↑ Mesonyx - About.com Prehistoric Mammals
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- ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
- Much of the introductory information in the first paragraph is from Dinosaur Encyclopedia
