Ramoceros: Difference between revisions
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''Ramoceros'' was a prehistoric relative of modern [[pronghorn]] (''Antilocapra americana''), which is a species of artiodactyl [[mammal]] indigenous to interior western and central North America; modern pronghorn are the second-fastest mammal in the world.<ref name=Blount /> The modern pronghorn weighs about {{convert|35|to|70|kg|lb}}, whereas the smaller ''Ramoceros'' generally weighed {{convert|10|to|20|kg|lb}}.<ref>Kues, Barry. ''The Paleontology of New Mexico'', p. 364 (University of New Mexico Press, 2008).</ref> |
''Ramoceros'' was a prehistoric relative of modern [[pronghorn]] (''Antilocapra americana''), which is a species of artiodactyl [[mammal]] indigenous to interior western and central North America; modern pronghorn are the second-fastest mammal in the world.<ref name=Blount /> The modern pronghorn weighs about {{convert|35|to|70|kg|lb}}, whereas the smaller ''Ramoceros'' generally weighed {{convert|10|to|20|kg|lb}}.<ref>Kues, Barry. ''The Paleontology of New Mexico'', p. 364 (University of New Mexico Press, 2008).</ref> |
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''Ramoceros'' is one of several [[genera]] that originated from the [[subfamily]] [[Merycodontinae]], of which the pronghorn is the only surviving remnant.<ref>Heffelfinger, Jim. ''Deer of the Southwest: A Complete Guide to the Natural History, Biology, and Management of Southwestern Mule Deer and White'', p. 26 (Texas A&M University Press, 2006).</ref> In fact, pronghorn is the only surviving remnant of the entire family [[Antilocapridae]].<ref name=smithsonian>Smithsonian Institution. North American Mammals: [http://www.mnh.si.edu/mna/image_info.cfm?species_id=7 Pronghorn ''Antilocapra americana'']</ref> |
''Ramoceros'' is one of several [[genera]] that originated from the [[subfamily]] [[Merycodontinae]], of which the pronghorn is the only surviving remnant.<ref>Heffelfinger, Jim. ''Deer of the Southwest: A Complete Guide to the Natural History, Biology, and Management of Southwestern Mule Deer and White-tailed Deer'', p. 26 (Texas A&M University Press, 2006).</ref> In fact, pronghorn is the only surviving remnant of the entire family [[Antilocapridae]].<ref name=smithsonian>Smithsonian Institution. North American Mammals: [http://www.mnh.si.edu/mna/image_info.cfm?species_id=7 Pronghorn ''Antilocapra americana'']</ref> |
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The long forked horns of ''Ramoceros'' may have been used by rival males in competition. Like other antilocaprids, ''Ramoceros'' regrew their horns every year, forming new horns growing on bony centers. For that reason, many scientists believe they are more closely related to [[deer]] than to [[cattle]].<ref name=Blount /> |
The long forked horns of ''Ramoceros'' may have been used by rival males in competition. Like other antilocaprids, ''Ramoceros'' regrew their horns every year, forming new horns growing on bony centers. For that reason, many scientists believe they are more closely related to [[deer]] than to [[cattle]].<ref name=Blount /> |
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Revision as of 05:14, 11 February 2014
| Ramoceros | |
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| Ramoceros osborni skeleton | |
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| Genus: | Ramoceros
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| Species: | R. osborni' '
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| Ramoceros osborni | |
Ramoceros is an extinct genus of the artiodactyl family Antilocapridae endemic to Miocene and Pliocene North America.[1]
Relatives and characteristics
Ramoceros was a prehistoric relative of modern pronghorn (Antilocapra americana), which is a species of artiodactyl mammal indigenous to interior western and central North America; modern pronghorn are the second-fastest mammal in the world.[1] The modern pronghorn weighs about 35 to 70 kilograms (77 to 154 lb), whereas the smaller Ramoceros generally weighed 10 to 20 kilograms (22 to 44 lb).[2]
Ramoceros is one of several genera that originated from the subfamily Merycodontinae, of which the pronghorn is the only surviving remnant.[3] In fact, pronghorn is the only surviving remnant of the entire family Antilocapridae.[4]
The long forked horns of Ramoceros may have been used by rival males in competition. Like other antilocaprids, Ramoceros regrew their horns every year, forming new horns growing on bony centers. For that reason, many scientists believe they are more closely related to deer than to cattle.[1]
See also
Bibliography
- Vertebrate Palaeontology by Michael J. Benton
- The Evolution of Artiodactyls by Donald R. Prothero and Scott E. Foss
References
- ^ a b c Blount, Kitty and Crowley, Maggie. Encyclopedia of Dinosaurs & Prehistoric Life, p. 271 (Penguin, 2008).
- ^ Kues, Barry. The Paleontology of New Mexico, p. 364 (University of New Mexico Press, 2008).
- ^ Heffelfinger, Jim. Deer of the Southwest: A Complete Guide to the Natural History, Biology, and Management of Southwestern Mule Deer and White-tailed Deer, p. 26 (Texas A&M University Press, 2006).
- ^ Smithsonian Institution. North American Mammals: Pronghorn Antilocapra americana
