Tetrameryx Temporal range:
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Depiction of T. shuleri based on modern pronghorns | |
Scientific classification ![]() | |
Domain: | Eukaryota |
Kingdom: | Animalia |
Phylum: | Chordata |
Class: | Mammalia |
Order: | Artiodactyla |
Family: | Antilocapridae |
Genus: | †Tetrameryx Lull, 1921 |
Species | |
Tetrameryx is an extinct genus of the North American artiodactyl family Antilocapridae, known from Mexico,[2] the western United States, and Saskatchewan in Canada.[1]
Taxonomy
The name means "four [horned] ruminant", referring to the division of each horn near its base into two prongs; in T. shuleri, the rear prong is much longer.[3] 5 species are known.
Description
![](http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/4/46/The_American_journal_of_science_%281921%29_%2817964315139%29.jpg/220px-The_American_journal_of_science_%281921%29_%2817964315139%29.jpg)
One member of the genus, T. shuleri, survived until about 12,000 years ago, and was present when Paleo-Indians reached North America.[4] Although approximately the same size as the living pronghorn, the limb bones are somewhat more robust, suggesting that its running speed was slower than living pronghorn.[5]
References
- ^ a b "Tetrameryx Lull 1921". Paleobiology Database. Retrieved 2015-11-21.
- ^ Dalquest, W. W. (1974-03-30). "A New Species of Four-Horned Antilocaprid from Mexico". Journal of Mammalogy. 55 (1): 96–101. doi:10.2307/1379259. JSTOR 1379259.
- ^ "Stockoceros and Tetrameryx: the Four-Horned Pronghorns". Prehistoric Pronghorn. International Wildlife Museum. Archived from the original on 2016-06-29. Retrieved 2015-11-21.
- ^ "Tetrameryx shuleri Lull 1921". Paleobiology Database. Retrieved 2015-11-21.
- ^ "Tule Springs Pronghorn (U.S. National Park Service)". www.nps.gov. Retrieved 2022-06-27.