Hemipsalodon
Hemipsalodon is a genus of hyaenodont mammal in the family Hyainailouridae, though it was initially assigned to the Oxyaenidae. The genus consists of two species, H. grandis and H. cooki.
| Hemipsalodon Temporal range: Eocene | |
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| The skull of Hemipsalodon grandis | |
Scientific classification  | |
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Chordata |
| Class: | Mammalia |
| Order: | †Hyaenodonta |
| Family: | †Hyainailouridae |
| Subfamily: | †Hyainailourinae |
| Genus: | †Hemipsalodon Cope, 1885 |
| Type species | |
| Hemipsalodon grandis Cope, 1885 | |
| Other species | |
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Description
Reconstruction of Hemipsalodon grandis skull.
The skull of Hemipsalodon grandis is 45 centimetres (18 in) in length, with a lower jaw length of 34 centimetres (13 in). The most complete skull, O.M.S.I. No. 619, belonged to an old individual. It is powerfully-built, and overall superficially resembles the mesonychid Harpagolestes. The nasal opening is quite large. The canines are greatly enlarged. The anterior portion of the skull is broad anteriorly, but narrows down considerably posteriorly.[2]
References
- Schlaikjer, Erich M. (1935). "Contributions to the stratigraphy and paleontology of the Goshen Hole area, Wyoming. III. A new basal Oligocene formation". Bulletin of the Museum of Comparative Zoology. 76 (3): 71–93.
- Mellett, James Silvan (1969). "A skull of Hemipsalodon (Mammalia, Deltatheridia) from the Clarno Formation of Oregon". American Museum Novitates (2387). hdl:2246/2597.
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