Toromeryx
{{Short description|Extinct genus of mammals}}
{{Automatic taxobox
| fossil_range = {{Fossil range|Eocene}}
| image =
| taxon = Toromeryx
| authority = Wilson (1974)
| subdivision_ranks = Species
| subdivision =
- T. marginensis
|range_map = Toromeryx range.png
|range_map_alt = Map showing range of Toromeryx in the Rio Grande valley in North America
|range_map_caption = Range of Toromeryx based on fossil record
}}
Toromeryx is a medium-sized extinct genus of Artiodactyla, of the family Protoceratidae, endemic to southwestern North America from the Eocene epoch (Late Uintan stage) 46.2—42 Ma, existing for approximately {{Mya|46.2-42|million years}}.[https://paleobiodb.org/classic/checkTaxonInfo?taxon_no=42585 PaleoBiology Database: Toromeryx, basic info]
Taxonomy
Toromeryx was named by Wilson (1974). Its type is Toromeryx marginensis. It was assigned to Protoceratidae by Wilson (1974), Carroll (1988), Prothero (1998) and Prothero and Ludtke (2007).J. A. Wilson. 1974. Texas Memorial Museum Bulletin 23R. L. Carroll. 1988. Vertebrate Paleontology and Evolution. W. H. Freeman and Company, New York 1-698D. R. Prothero and J. A. Ludtke. 2007. Family Protoceratidae. in D. R. Prothero and S. Foss (eds.), The Evolution of Artiodactyls 169-176
Morphology
Toromeryx resembled deer. However they were more closely related to camelids. In addition to having horns in the more usual place, protoceratids had additional, rostral horns above the orbital cavity. Toromeryx was smaller than Miocene members of Tylopoda: Paratoceras, Protoceras, and Pseudoprotoceras.
Fossil distribution
Fossils have been recovered from:
- Candelaria TMM 31281 Colmena Tuff Formation, Presidio County, Texas
- Casa Blanca Site, Laredo Formation, Webb County, Texas
References
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Category:Eocene mammals of North America
Category:Fossil taxa described in 1974
Category:Monotypic prehistoric Artiodactyla genera
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