Paratapirus

Paratapirus is an extinct genus of tapir known from the Late Oligocene and Early Miocene of Europe.

Paratapirus
Temporal range: Late Oligocene - Early Miocene
Paratapirus intermedius mandible
Scientific classification Edit this classification
Domain: Eukaryota
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Class: Mammalia
Order: Perissodactyla
Family: Tapiridae
Genus: †Paratapirus
Depéret & Douxami, 1902[1]
Type species
†Paratapirus helveticus
Meyer, 1867
Species
  • P. helveticus
  • P. intermedius

Taxonomy

Two species are considered valid:

  • P. helveticus
  • P. intermedius

The species P. moguntiacus and P. robustus are considered synonyms of P. intermedius. Members of this genus were originally described under the name Palaeotapirus along with several other tapir genera, but that name is now considered abandoned since it was described from poor diagnostic material.[2]

Description
Fossil of P. helveticus

Paratapirus was among the earliest known tapirs, and probably evolved from Protapirus which had migrated into Eurasia from North America near the end of the Oligocene.[3]

In comparison to Protapirus it had more derived dentition, such as molar-like premolars..[4]

References
  1. "Paratapirus". Fossilworks.
  2. Cerdeño, E.; Ginsburg, L. (1988). "European Oligocene and early Miocene Tapiridae (Perissodactyla, Mammalia)". Annales de Paléontologie. 74 (2): 71–96.
  3. Journal of Vertebrate Paleontology: Volume 18, Issues 1-2 1998. University of Oklahoma. 1998.
  4. Agustí, Jordi; Antón, Mauricio (2002). Mammoths, Sabertooths, and Hominids: 65 Million Years of Mammalian Evolution in Europe. Columbia University Press. p. 95. ISBN 9780231116411.


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