Gelocidae
Gelocidae Temporal range: Priabonian-Messinian, 36.0–6.0 Ma PreꞒ Ꞓ O S D C P T J K Pg N | |
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Gelocus communis mandibles, Museum of Natural History Basel | |
Scientific classification ![]() | |
Domain: | Eukaryota |
Kingdom: | Animalia |
Phylum: | Chordata |
Class: | Mammalia |
Order: | Artiodactyla |
Infraorder: | Tragulina |
Family: | †Gelocidae Schlosser, 1886 |
Genera | |
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The Gelocidae are an extinct family of hornless ruminantia that are estimated to have lived during the Eocene and Oligocene epochs, from 36 MYA to 6 MYA. The family generally includes ruminants with dental traits of both the Tragulina and Pecora, making it a notorious wastebasket taxon with unresolved affinities.
Description
Members of the family Gelocidae were long-legged, even-toed ungulates adapted for running and grazing. The Gelocidae likely share a close common ancestor with Moschidae and were of a similar size and shape. They had similar dentition and proportions to members of Moschidae, but lacked the sabre-like tusks of the modern musk deer.
Bibliography
Webb, S. D.; Taylor, B. E. (31 December 1980). "The phylogeny of hornless ruminants and a description of the cranium of Archaeomeryx". Bulletin of the American Museum of Natural History. 167: 117–158. Retrieved 21 July 2016.