Tetrameryx

Tetrameryx is an extinct genus of the North American artiodactyl family Antilocapridae, known from Mexico,[2] the western United States, and Saskatchewan in Canada.[1]

Tetrameryx
Temporal range:
Depiction of T. shuleri based on modern pronghorns
Scientific classification Edit this classification
Domain: Eukaryota
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Class: Mammalia
Order: Artiodactyla
Family: Antilocapridae
Genus: †Tetrameryx
Lull, 1921
Species
  • T. irvingtonensis Stirton, 1939
  • T. knoxensis Hibbard and Dalquest, 1960
  • T. mooseri Dalquest, 1974
  • T. shuleri Lull, 1921
  • T. tacubayensis Mooser and Dalquest, 1975

Taxonomy

The name means "four [horned] ruminant", referring to the division of each horn near its base into two prongs; in T. shuleri, the rear prong is much longer.[3] 5 species are known.

Description
T. shuleri holotype skull

One member of the genus, T. shuleri, survived until about 12,000 years ago, and was present when Paleo-Indians reached North America.[4] Although approximately the same size as the living pronghorn, the limb bones are somewhat more robust, suggesting that its running speed was slower than living pronghorn.[5]

References
  1. "Tetrameryx Lull 1921". Paleobiology Database. Retrieved 2015-11-21.
  2. Dalquest, W. W. (1974-03-30). "A New Species of Four-Horned Antilocaprid from Mexico". Journal of Mammalogy. 55 (1): 96–101. doi:10.2307/1379259. JSTOR 1379259.
  3. "Stockoceros and Tetrameryx: the Four-Horned Pronghorns". Prehistoric Pronghorn. International Wildlife Museum. Archived from the original on 2016-06-29. Retrieved 2015-11-21.
  4. "Tetrameryx shuleri Lull 1921". Paleobiology Database. Retrieved 2015-11-21.
  5. "Tule Springs Pronghorn (U.S. National Park Service)". www.nps.gov. Retrieved 2022-06-27.
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