Proterix

Proterix
Temporal range: Late Oligocene–Early Miocene
Scientific classification Edit this classification
Domain: Eukaryota
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Class: Mammalia
Order: Eulipotyphla
Family: Erinaceidae
Genus: †Proterix
Matthew, 1903
Species
  • †P. bicuspis
  • †P. loomisi

Proterix is an extinct genus of erinaceid mammal from the Late Oligocene to the Early Miocene of North America.

Ecology

Proterix was most likely a burrowing insectivore.[1] The original reference suggests reduced limbs may be possible, due to the unusually high number of lumbar vertebrae, but cautions that conclusions must be reserved until a complete skeleton is found.[2] This proposal was exaggerated in a popular science book by Dougal Dixon, which speculated that it may have been a limbless mammal with an armored head.[3] Though very little of the post-cranial skeleton has been found, this situation is typical for mammals and not an indicator of unusual anatomy.[4][2]

References

  1. ^ Macdonald, James Reid (1961). "The lower dentition of Proterix loomisi Matthew?". Journal of Paleontology. 35 (3): 632–633.
  2. ^ a b Bjork, Philip R. (1975). "Observations on the morphology of the hedgehog genus Proterix (Insectivora: Erinaceidae)". In Smith, G.R.; Friedland, N.E. (eds.). Studies on Cenozoic Paleontology and Stratigraphy: Claude W. Hibbard Memorial Volume 3 (PDF). Ann Arbor: Museum of Paleontology, University of Michigan. pp. 81–88.
  3. ^ Dixon, Dougal (2008). World Encyclopedia of Dinosaurs & Prehistoric Creatures. New York: Lorenz Books. p. 447. ISBN 9780754817307.
  4. ^ Gawne, C.E. (1968). "The genus Proterix (Insectivora, Erinaceidae) of the Upper Oligocene of North America". American Museum Novitates (2315). hdl:2246/2525. Retrieved 19 January 2013.


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