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''Merycodus'' is an extinct
''Merycodus'' had relatively short horn shafts with tines of nearly equal size that were about as long as the shaft. Species traditionally included in ''Meryceros'' had horns that were generally larger and more laterally compressed.
genus
Genus ( plural genera ) is a taxonomic rank used in the biological classification of extant taxon, living and fossil organisms as well as Virus classification#ICTV classification, viruses. In the hierarchy of biological classification, genus com ...
of the artiodactyl
The even-toed ungulates (Artiodactyla , ) are ungulates—hoofed animals—which bear weight equally on two (an even number) of their five toes: the third and fourth. The other three toes are either present, absent, vestigial, or pointing poster ...
family Antilocapridae
The Antilocapridae are a family of artiodactyls endemic to North America. Their closest extant relatives are the giraffids with which they comprise the superfamily Giraffoidea. Only one species, the pronghorn (''Antilocapra americana''), is li ...
. Fossils of this genus have been found in the Santa Fe Group of New Mexico
)
, population_demonym = New Mexican ( es, Neomexicano, Neomejicano, Nuevo Mexicano)
, seat = Santa Fe
, LargestCity = Albuquerque
, LargestMetro = Tiguex
, OfficialLang = None
, Languages = English, Spanish ( New Mexican), Navajo, Ker ...
.
Taxonomy
''Merycodus'' has had a confusing taxonomic history. The closely related ''Meryceros'' and ''Submeryceros'' are generally regarded as synonynous with ''Merycodus''. One described species known as ''Merycodus grandis'' has now been reclassified as a species of '' Prosynthetoceras''. Another former species, ''M. furcatus'' is now placed in ''Cosoryx
''Cosoryx'' is an extinct genus of antilocaprid that lived in the Miocene of Nevada. Fossils of this genus have also been found in the Santa Fe Group in New Mexico.
''Cosoryx'' has sometimes been considered synonymous with ''Merycodus
' ...
''.
Description
''Merycodus'' had relatively short horn shafts with tines of nearly equal size that were about as long as the shaft. Species traditionally included in ''Meryceros'' had horns that were generally larger and more laterally compressed.
References