Fossil litoptern skeleton
Place Collected(Object)
: South America, Argentina Taxonomy
- Attributes
- Objects
- Taxonomy
- Kingdom:
Animalia
- Phylum:
Chordata
- Class:
Mammalia
- Order:
Litopterna
- Family:
Machraucheniidae
- Genus:
Macrauchenia
- SpecificEpithet:
patachonica
Object number: ROMVP00410
Gallery Location:Reed Family Gallery of the Age of Mammals, South America, Hoofed Mammals, Macrauchenia
DescriptionMacrauchenia patachonica, lived in the early Pleistocene, between about 1 and 2 million years ago. This specimen belonged to the order Litopterna, which is characterized by side toe reduction much like modern day horses. It was similar in size and shape to a camel with long limbs and a long neck. The nasal opening was high on the top of the skull suggesting it had a short trunk for a nose, perhaps somewhat longer than living tapirs.
