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Merycoidodontinae

Mammalia - Merycoidodontidae

Synonyms
Synonymy list
YearName and author
1850Eucrotaphus Leidy
1850Eucrotaphus jacksoni Leidy p. 90
1853Eucrotaphus jacksoni Leidy
1884Eucrotaphus Cope p. 513
1884Eucrotaphus jacksoni Cope p. 517
1890Oreodon jacksoni Scott
1902Merycoidodontinae Hay p. 665
1902Eucrotaphus Hay p. 666
1902Eucrotaphus jacksoni Hay p. 666
1906Eucrotaphus jacksoni Douglass p. 566
1937Eucrotaphus Thorpe p. 61
1937Eucrotaphus jacksoni Thorpe p. 61 figs. PI. I, figs. 13-15
1968Pseudogenetochoerus Schultz and Falkenbach
1968Merycoidodontinae Schultz and Falkenbach p. 24
1968Pseudogenetochoerus Schultz and Falkenbach p. 156 figs. figures 14-16, 19, 20, 22, 52
1996Merycoidodontinae Stevens and Stevens p. 512
1997Eucrotaphus McKenna and Bell p. 408
1998Eucrotaphus Lander
1998Eucrotaphus jacksoni Lander
2007Merycoidodontinae Stevens and Stevens p. 160

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RankNameAuthor
kingdomAnimalia()
Bilateria
EubilateriaAx 1987
Life
Deuterostomia
phylumChordataHaeckel 1874
subphylumVertebrata
superclassGnathostomata
Osteichthyes()
subclassSarcopterygii()
subclassDipnotetrapodomorpha(Nelson 2006)
subclassTetrapodomorpha()
Tetrapoda
Reptiliomorpha
Anthracosauria
subclassAmphibiosauriaKuhn 1967
Cotylosauria()
Amniota
subclassSynapsida
Therapsida()
infraorderCynodontia()
RankNameAuthor
Mammaliamorpha
Mammaliaformes
classMammalia
Theriamorpha(Rowe 1993)
Theriiformes()
Trechnotheria
Cladotheria
Zatheria
subclassTribosphenida()
subclassTheria
Eutheria()
Placentalia
Boreoeutheria
Laurasiatheria
Scrotifera
Euungulata
Artiodactylamorpha
Artiodactyla()
familyMerycoidodontidae
subfamilyMerycoidodontinae
subfamilyMerycoidodontinae

If no rank is listed, the taxon is considered an unranked clade in modern classifications. Ranks may be repeated or presented in the wrong order because authors working on different parts of the classification may disagree about how to rank taxa.

Subfm. †Merycoidodontinae Hay 1902
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G. †Merycoidodon Leidy 1848
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Subg. †Merycoidodon (Anomerycoidodon) Schultz and Falkenbach 1968
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Merycoidodon (Anomerycoidodon) lambi Schultz and Falkenbach 1968
Subg. †Merycoidodon (Blickohyus) Schultz and Falkenbach 1968
Subg. †Merycoidodon (Merycoidodon) Stevens and Stevens 1996
Subg. †Merycoidodon (Otarohyus) Schultz and Falkenbach 1968
Merycoidodon bullatus Leidy 1869
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Invalid names: Eporeodon cedrensis Matthew 1901 [synonym], Eporeodon major cedrensis Matthew 1901 [synonym], Eporeodon socialis Marsh 1884 [synonym], Eucrotaphus dickinsonensis Douglass 1907 [synonym], Eucrotaphus helenae Douglass 1902 [synonym], Genetochoerus (Osbornohyus) geygani Schultz and Falkenbach 1968 [synonym], Genetochoerus (Osbornohyus) norbeckensis Schultz and Falkenbach 1968 [synonym], Merycoidodon (Anomerycoidodon) dani Schultz and Falkenbach 1968 [synonym], Merycoidodon (Blickohyus) galushai Schultz and Falkenbach 1968 [synonym], Paramerycoidodon (Barbourochoerus) bacai Schultz and Falkenbach 1968 [synonym]
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Merycoidodon culbertsonii osborni Schultz and Falkenbach 1968
Invalid names: Cotylops speciosa Leidy 1851 [synonym], Merycoidodon lewisi Clark and Beerbower 1967 [synonym], Merycoidodon periculorum Cope 1884 [synonym], Oreodon macrorhinus Douglass 1903 [synonym], Oreodon priscum Leidy 1851 [synonym], Oreodon robustum Douglass 1902 [synonym], Otionohyus vanderpooli Schultz and Falkenbach 1968 [synonym], Otionohyus wardi Schultz and Falkenbach 1968 [synonym], Paramerycoidodon georgei Schultz and Falkenbach 1968 [synonym], Prodesmatochoerus meekae Schultz and Falkenbach 1954 [synonym]
Merycoidodon culbertsonii browni Schultz and Falkenbach 1968
Merycoidodon major Leidy 1853
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Invalid names: Desmatochoerus (Paradesmatochoerus) anthonyi Schultz and Falkenbach 1968 [synonym], Genetochoerus (Osbornohyus) chamberlaini Schultz and Falkenbach 1968 [synonym], Merycoidodon (Blickohyus) lynchi Schultz and Falkenbach 1968 [synonym], Merycoidodon lambi Schultz and Falkenbach 1968 [synonym], Merycoidodon lynchi Schultz and Falkenbach 1968 [synonym], Oreodon hybridus Leidy 1869 [synonym], Otionohyus (Otarohyus) alexi Schultz and Falkenbach 1968 [synonym], Paramerycoidodon (Gregoryochoerus) wanlessi Schultz and Falkenbach 1968 [synonym], Promesoreodon scanloni Schultz and Falkenbach 1949 [synonym], Subdesmatochoerus shannonensis Schultz and Falkenbach 1954 [synonym]
Merycoidodon minor Cope 1888
Merycoidodon presidioensis Stevens and Stevens 1996
Invalid names: Blickohyus Schultz and Falkenbach 1968 [synonym], Cotylops Leidy 1851 [synonym], Genetochoerus Schultz and Falkenbach 1968 [synonym], Oreodon Leidy 1851 [synonym], Otionohyus Schultz and Falkenbach 1968 [synonym], Paramerycoidodon Schultz and Falkenbach 1968 [synonym], Prodesmatochoerus Schultz and Falkenbach 1954 [synonym], Promesoreodon Schultz and Falkenbach 1949 [synonym], Subdesmatochoerus Schultz and Falkenbach 1954 [synonym]
G. †Mesoreodon Scott 1893
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Mesoreodon chelonyx Scott 1893
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Invalid names: Eporeodon meagherensis Schultz and Falkenbach 1968 [synonym], Eucrotaphus montanus Douglass 1907 [synonym], Mesoreodon danai Koerner 1940 [synonym], Mesoreodon intermedius Scott 1893 [synonym], Mesoreodon laticeps Loomis 1924 [synonym]
Mesoreodon floridensis MacFadden and Morgan 2003
Mesoreodon minor Douglass 1903
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Invalid names: Desmatochoerus (Paradesmatochoerus) grangeri Schultz and Falkenbach 1954 [synonym], Desmatochoerus (Paradesmatochoerus) monroecreekensis Schultz and Falkenbach 1954 [synonym], Desmatochoerus (Paradesmatochoerus) sanfordi Schultz and Falkenbach 1954 [synonym], Desmatochoerus (Paradesmatochoerus) wyomingensis Schultz and Falkenbach 1954 [synonym], Desmatochoerus macrosynaphus Riel 1964 [synonym], Eporeodon cheeki Schlaikjer 1934 [synonym], Mesoreodon scotti Schlaikjer 1934 [synonym], Pseudodesmatochoerus wascoensis Schultz and Falkenbach 1954 [synonym]
Invalid names: Eucrotaphus Leidy 1850 [nomen vanum]
Diagnosis
ReferenceDiagnosis
C. B. Schultz and C. H. Falkenbach 1968Skulls moderately small to medium in size; dolichocephalic to mesocephalic ; low to moderately high; supraoccipital wings with moderate lateral spread (not fan-shaped as in Miniochoerinae), extending posteriorly above and posterior to condyles ; exoccipital foramen round to oblong ; supraorbital foramina may be close together or distantly separated ( most examples with prominent anterior grooves); anterior nasal-maxilla contact in area above posterior border of CJ to anterior border of P1 ; orbits round to oblong ; lacrimal fossa deep to shallow; nasals with slight anterior retraction, posterior border with much variation (acute, obtuse, or truncated) ; zygomatic arch with inward notch posterior to orbits ; slight to prominent pit or depression on face above anterior premolars ; bulla small (minute) to well inflated, with variation in depth of hyoidal groove (prominent in early geologic forms, lost in latest forms) ; postglenoid process compressed anteroposteriorly with varying degrees of robustness and inward slope of external borders ; glenoid surface arched anteroposteriorly; palate projecting posteriorly to region of posterior border of M3 ; noticeable increase in depth of ramus anteroposteriorly; inferior border of ramus approximately straight to a point below and posterior to Ms, then with a noticeable downward curve; ascending ramus moderately high, wide anteroposteriorly, posterior border with prominent robust rim or
M. S. Stevens and J. B. Stevens 1996Medium-sized oreodonts primitively with narrow, high, and arched muzzles, steep premaxillae, Subnasal L./Nasal L. ratios averag- ing from 53% to 47%, deep preorbital fossae, infraor- bital foramina above P 2 , and small auditory bullae each with a deep hyoidal groove. Later species have lower and broader muzzles, more inclined premaxillae, smaller preorbital fossae, infraorbital foramina above P4, broad frontals, and progressively more inflated auditory bullae which lose the hyoidal groove. Dentally, the Merycoidodontinae remained conserva- tive throughout their history, with unreduced premolars 50-48% of the pl_P4;pl_M3 ratio (rounded averages; Table 3), an APM3/TM3 ratio that is primitively 1.0 or slightly less but increases to 1.18 in the youngest species (averages; Table 5), and with persistently brachydont-submesodont dentitions where the APM3/Ht. M3 ratio averages 1.80 to 1.53 (Table 4). Over time, the TM3/Ht. M3 ratio progressively decreases from 1.80 to 1.36 (Table 6). The Merycoi- dodontinae differ from Miniochoerinae by progres- sively larger size, lack of thinned enamel on the premolar-molar middle crests and selenes, and by inflated auditory bullae in species younger than earlier Orellan; and differ by grade only from Eporeodontinae by a usually larger size (species younger than Orellan), an arched, instead of a concave nasal profile, and complete absence of facial vacuities.
Measurements
No measurements are available
Composition: phosphaticsubp
Environment: terrestrialo
Locomotion: actively mobilec
Life habit: ground dwellingf
Diet: herbivoref
Reproduction: viviparoussubc
Created: 2005-08-31 14:37:21
Modified: 2005-08-31 16:37:21
Source: f = family, o = order, subc = subclass, c = class, subp = subphylum
References: Nowak 1999, Lander 1998, Carroll 1988, Lillegraven 1979, Hendy et al. 2009

Age range: base of the Chadronian to the top of the Hemingfordian or 37.20000 to 15.97000 Ma

Collections (209 total)


Time interval Ma Country or state Original ID and collection number
Bartonian - Rupelian41.3 - 28.1Mexico (Oaxaca) Merycoidodon sp. (166797)
Chadronian37.2 - 33.9Canada (Saskatchewan) Merycoidodon macrorhinus (16919) Merycoidodon sp. (16979)
Chadronian37.2 - 33.9USA (Nebraska) Merycoidodon culbertsoni (16918 16929 17018) Merycoidodon culbertsonii (16895 17037) Merycoidodon sp. (16917 16930 16940 17014) Otionohyus vanderpooli (17035)
Chadronian37.2 - 33.9USA (Texas) Merycoidodontidae indet. (16894) Prodesmatochoerus meekae (16889)
Chadronian37.2 - 33.9USA (Wyoming) Merycoidodon culbertsoni (16902 16908 16920 16942 16943 16998 17024) Merycoidodon lewisi (16960) Merycoidodon sp. (16961 17045)
Chadronian37.2 - 33.9USA (Montana) Merycoidodon culbertsoni (17041) Merycoidodon sp. (16914 16915)
Chadronian37.2 - 33.9USA (South Dakota) Merycoidodon lewisi (17006) Merycoidodon sp. (16885)
Chadronian37.2 - 33.9Mexico (Chihuahua) Merycoidodon sp. (17015)
Chadronian37.2 - 33.9USA (Colorado) Genetochoerus periculorum, Merycoidodon culbertsoni (16977) Merycoidodon sp. (16968)
Early/Lower Chadronian37.2 - 33.9USA (Montana) Merycoidodon sp. (27245)
Chadronian - Orellan37.2 - 33.3USA (Wyoming) Merycoidodon culbertsoni (17120)
Orellan33.9 - 33.3USA (South Dakota) Eporeodon bullatus (17061 17296) Eporeodon bullatus, Oreodon culbertsoni (17133) Genetochoerus geygani (17188) Genetochoerus norbeckensis (17085) Merycoidodon bullatus (17115) Merycoidodon culbertsoni (17053 17065 17084 17088 17092 17103 17121 17130 17143 17156 17161 17162 17170 17173 17174 17180 17183 17304 163487) Merycoidodon culbertsoni, Otionohyus bullatus (17179) Merycoidodon sp. (17089 17136) Oreodon bullatus (17295) Oreodon culbertsoni (17153) Oreodon culbertsonii (17141) Otionohyus bullatus (17066 17079 17093 17144 17146 17151 17163 17169 17184 17192) Otionohyus wardi (17171) Paramerycoidodon georgei, Merycoidodon culbertsoni (17094)
Orellan33.9 - 33.3USA (Wyoming) Merycoidodon culbertsoni (17104 17105 17106 17145 17148 17149 17178 17193 17303) Otionohyus wardi (17196) Paramerycoidodon georgei (17124) Prodesmatochoerus meekae (17152)
Orellan33.9 - 33.3USA (Montana) Merycoidodon culbertsoni (17090)
Orellan33.9 - 33.3USA (North Dakota) Merycoidodon culbertsoni (17128) Merycoidodon culbertsoni, Otionohyus bullatus, Genetochoerus norbeckensis (17101) Otionohyus bullatus (17129)
Orellan33.9 - 33.3USA (Nebraska) Genetochoerus norbeckensis (17222) Genetochoerus periculorum (17234) Genetochoerus periculorum, Otionohyus wardi (17219 17285) Genetochoerus periculorum, Otionohyus wardi, Merycoidodon culbertsoni (17209) Merycoidodon culbertsoni (17098 17140 17200 17201 17213 17223 17224 17246 17251 17262 17263 17267 17271 17272 17277 17279 17280 17282 17284) Merycoidodon culbertsonii (17297) Merycoidodon dani (17245) Merycoidodon sp. (17062 17164 17165) Otionohyus wardi (17080 17135 17208 17218) Otionohyus wardi, Merycoidodon culbertsoni (17281) Paramerycoidodon bacai (17258 17288) Paramerycoidodon georgei (17238 17291)
Whitneyan33.3 - 30.8USA (Wyoming) Merycoidodon major (17383)
Whitneyan33.3 - 30.8USA (Colorado) Eporeodon major (17426)
Whitneyan33.3 - 30.8USA (Nebraska) Desmatochoerus wyomingensis (17397) Genetochoerus chamberlaini (17401 17435) Merycoidodon lynchi (17409 17418) Otionohyus alexi (17417) Otionohyus alexi, Paramerycoidodon major (17419) Otionohyus cedrensis (17433) Paramerycoidodon major (17421) Paramerycoidodon wanlessi (17408) Subdesmatochoerus shannonensis (17376)
Whitneyan33.3 - 30.8USA (South Dakota) Eporeodon major (17343) Genetochoerus chamberlaini (17348) Genetochoerus geygani (17352) Merycoidodon galushai (17315 17347) Merycoidodon lynchi (17355) Merycoidodon sp., Merycoidodon bullatus (17336 17337 17338) Oreodon culbertsoni (17342) Otionohyus cedrensis (17363) Paramerycoidodon major (17317 17324 17339 17340 17353 17370 17378 17380 17387 17431) Paramerycoidodon wanlessi (17360 17364)
Whitneyan33.3 - 30.8USA (Montana) Subdesmatochoerus montanus (17389)
Whitneyan - Monroecreekian33.3 - 24.8Canada (Saskatchewan) Merycoidodon sp. (17306)
Geringian30.8 - 26.3USA (Oregon) Eporeodon bullatus (93078)
Geringian30.8 - 26.3USA (South Dakota) Desmatochoerus sanfordi (17593) Desmatochoerus wyomingensis (17505 17656) Paradesmatochoerus wyomingensis (17592 17636)
Geringian30.8 - 26.3USA (Nebraska) Desmatochoerus wyomingensis (17522 17595) Paramerycoidodon meagherensis (17714)
Arikareean30.8 - 20.43USA (Wyoming) Desmatochoerus anthonyi (17703) Desmatochoerus grangeri, Desmatochoerus wyomingensis, Mesoreodon cheeki (17532) Desmatochoerus monroecreekensis, Mesoreodon scotti (17472) Desmatochoerus sanfordi, Desmatochoerus wyomingensis (17499) Desmatochoerus wyomingensis (17524) Desmatochoerus wyomingensis, Mesoreodon cheeki (17727) Desmatochoerus wyomingensis, Mesoreodon chelonyx, Desmatochoerus anthonyi, Eporeodon cheeki (17667) Mesoreodon cheeki (17666 17686)
Arikareean30.8 - 20.43USA (Nebraska) Desmatochoerus sanfordi, Mesoreodon cheeki (17604) Desmatochoerus wyomingensis (17602) Paradesmatochoerus sandfordi, Paradesmatochoerus wyomingensis (17470)
Arikareean30.8 - 20.43USA (South Dakota) Desmatochoerus wyomingensis (17533) Merycoidodon sp. (17520)
Arikareean30.8 - 20.43USA (Montana) Desmatochoerus macrosynaphus, Mesoreodon minor (17540) Eporeodon meagherensis, Mesoreodon chelonyx, Mesoreodon danai, Mesoreodon intermedius (17509) Mesoreodon chelonyx (17478) Mesoreodon sp. (17481)
Arikareean30.8 - 20.43USA (California) Mesoreodon sp. (17497)
Arikareean30.8 - 20.43USA (Idaho) Mesoreodon chelonyx (17586)
Chattian28.1 - 23.03USA (Florida) Merycoidodontidae indet. (17860)
Monroecreekian26.3 - 24.8USA (Washington) Mesoreodon sp. (119838 119841)
Monroecreekian26.3 - 24.8USA (South Dakota) Mesoreodon sp. (69921)
Harrisonian24.8 - 20.43USA (Wyoming) Promerycochoerus minor (17798)
Harrisonian24.8 - 20.43USA (South Dakota) Desmatochoerus wyomingensis (17745) Promerycochoerus minor (17457 17458 17751)
Hemingfordian20.43 - 15.97USA (Florida) Merycoidodon sp. (18597)