Litopterna
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| Litopterna is an extinct order of fossil hoofed mammals from the Tertiary period that displays toe reduction. Three-toed, and even a one-toed horselike form developed.
Llike the notoungulates and pyrotheres, they are examples of ungulate mammals that arose relatively independently in "splendid isolation" on the island continent of South America. Like Australia, South America was isolated from all other continents following the breakup of Gondwana. During this period of isolation, unique mammals evolved to fill ecological niches similar to other mammals elsewhere. The Litopterna occupied ecological roles as browsers and grazers similar to horses and camels in Laurasia. For more information, visit the Wikipedia entry. Get back to Eutheria |
Macrauchenia
| phylum | Chordata | Macrauchenia was a three-toed South American ungulate mammal, typifying the order Litopterna. The oldest fossils date back to around 7 million years ago, and M. patachonica disappears from the fossil record during the late Pleistocene, around 20,000-10,000 years ago. Macrauchenia had a somewhat camel-like body, with sturdy legs, a long neck and a relatively small head. Its feet, however, more closely resembled those of a modern rhinoceros, and had three hoofs each.
For more information, visit the Wikipedia entry. Get back to Litopterna |
| class | Mammalia | |
| infraclass | Eutheria | |
| order | Litopterna | |
| family | Macraucheniidae | |
| genus | Macrauchenia | |
| species | M. patachonica | |
| Temporal range | late Miocene to late Pleistocene |
