Amynodontidae ("defensive tooth")[4][5] is a
family of extinct
perissodactyls related to true
rhinoceroses. They are commonly portrayed as semiaquatic hippo-like rhinos[6][7] but this description only fits members of the Metamynodontini; other groups of amynodonts like the cadurcodontines had more typical
ungulate proportions and convergently evolved a
tapir-like
proboscis.
The Greek name of the family describes their tusks, derived from enlarged canine teeth. Odd-toed ungulates are herbivores, so these tusks would have been used either to deter or defend against predators (as suggested by the name) or perhaps in fights among males.[8]
^Scott, W. B.; Osborn, Henry F. (1883). "On the Skull of the Eocene Rhinoceros, Orthocynodon, and the Relation of this Genus to other Members of the Group". Contributions from the E. M. Museum of Geology and Archæology of Princeton College. 3: 1–22.
hdl:2027/mdp.39015057223565.
^McKenna, M. C.; S. K. Bell (1997). Classification of Mammals Above the Species Level. Columbia University Press.
ISBN0-231-11012-X.
^Palmer, D., ed. (1999). The Marshall Illustrated Encyclopedia of Dinosaurs and Prehistoric Animals. London: Marshall Editions. p. 264.
ISBN1-84028-152-9.
^Wall, William P. (1989). "The phylogenetic history and adaptive radiation of the Amynodontidae". In Prothero, Donald R.; Schoch, Robert M. (eds.). The Evolution of perissodactyls. Oxford University Press.
ISBN9780195060393.
^
abcdefghijklAverianov, A.; Danilov, I.; et al. (2017). "A new amynodontid from the Eocene of South China and phylogeny of Amynodontidae (Perissodactyla: Rhinocerotoidea)". Journal of Systematic Palaeontology. 15 (11): 927–945.
doi:
10.1080/14772019.2016.1256914.
S2CID89118812.
^Antoine, P.; Ducrocq, S.; et al. (2003). "Early rhinocerotids (Mammalia: Perissodactyla) from South Asia and a review of the Holarctic Paleogene rhinocerotid record". Canadian Journal of Earth Sciences. 40 (3): 365–374.
Bibcode:
2003CaJES..40..365A.
doi:
10.1139/e02-101.
^
abWall, W.P.; Manning, E. (July 1986). "Rostriamynodon grangeri n. gen., n. sp. of amynodontid (Perissodactyla, Rhinocerotoidea) with comments on the phylogenetic history of Eocene Amynodontidae". Journal of Paleontology. 60 (4): 911–919.
Bibcode:
1986JPal...60..911W.
doi:
10.1017/S0022336000043079.
JSTOR1305081.
S2CID59363111.