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Hippohyus

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Hippohyus
Temporal range: 5.332–2.588 Ma
A Hippohyus sivalensis skull
Scientific classification Edit this classification
Domain: Eukaryota
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Class: Mammalia
Order: Artiodactyla
Family: Suidae
Subfamily: Suinae
Tribe: Hippohyini
Genus: Hippohyus
Falconer & Cautley, 1847
Type species
Hippohyus sivalensis
Species
  • H. detterai
  • H. sivalensis

Hippohyus is an extinct genus of pig-like animals that lived during the Pliocene in India.[1]

Description

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Hippohyus had high-crowned molars with wrinkled enamel. The posterior premolars were enlarged and short. The skull was primitive, with a flat forehead, enlarged nasal bones, a relatively central orbital cavity and a rather robust zygomatic arch, with the jugal root originating at the height of the fourth premolar.

The most unusual dental characteristic of Hippohyus was the extraordinary folding of the cones and conules in its teeth. Its dental wear was more similar a horse than a typical pig.[2]

References

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  1. ^ Lewis, G. E. (1934). "Preliminary notice of a new species of Hippohyus from India". American Journal of Science (162): 457–459. doi:10.2475/ajs.s5-27.162.457.
  2. ^ Lewis, G.E. (1934). "Preliminary notice of a new species of Hippohyus from India". American Journal of Science. 5–27 (162): 457–459. doi:10.2475/ajs.s5-27.162.457.