Brachypotherium is an extinct genus of rhinocerotid that lived in Eurasia and Africa during the Miocene.[1] A first upper decidual molar referrable to Brachypotherium brachypus was found during gold mining in New Caledonia during the 19th century, being misidentified as a species of marsupial known as Zygomaturus.[2] However, rhinoceros were never native to New Caledonia, and the tooth was probably used as jewelry by a French convict deported there.[3]
Brachypotherium Temporal range: Miocene
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Mandible | |
Scientific classification | |
Domain: | Eukaryota |
Kingdom: | Animalia |
Phylum: | Chordata |
Class: | Mammalia |
Order: | Perissodactyla |
Family: | Rhinocerotidae |
Subfamily: | †Aceratheriinae |
Genus: | †Brachypotherium Roger, 1904 |
Type species | |
†Brachypotherium brachypus Lartet, 1848
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Species | |
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Many species of Brachypotherium have been described. Some species have moved to other genera, such as B. aurelianense being transferred to Diaceratherium.[4] The genus was widespread during the Early and Middle Miocene, before heading into a decline. They went extinct in Eurasia by the beginning of the Late Miocene, with the African species B. lewisi surviving until the end of the epoch.[5]