Protolabis

Protolabis
Temporal range: Oligocene–Early Miocene
Scientific classification
Kingdom:Animalia
Phylum:Chordata
Class:Mammalia
Order:Artiodactyla
Family:Camelidae
Tribe:Camelini
Genus:†Protolabis
Cope (1876)
Species
  • P. barstowensis
  • P. coartatus
  • P. gracilis
  • P. heterodontus
  • P. inaequidens
  • P. saxeus

Protolabis is an extinct genus of terrestrial herbivore in the family Camelidae, endemic to North America from the Oligocene through Miocene 30.8—10.3 mya, existing for approximately 20.5 million years.[1]

Taxonomy

Protolabis was named by Cope (1876). It was assigned to Camelidae by Cope (1876) and Carroll (1988).[2]

Morphology

Body mass

Four specimens were examined for estimated body mass by M. Mendoza, C. M. Janis, and P. Palmqvist. These specimens were estimated to weigh:

  • 451.7 kg (1,000 lb)
  • 231.4 kg (510 lb)
  • 342.7 kg (760 lb)
  • 511.5 kg (1,100 lb) [3]

Fossil distribution

Fossil distribution is widespread from Nicaragua, Central America to Montana and throughout the western U.S.

References

  1. ↑ PaleoBiology Database: Protolabis, basic info
  2. ↑ R. L. Carroll. 1988. Vertebrate Paleontology and Evolution. W. H. Freeman and Company, New York 1-698
  3. ↑ M. Mendoza, C. M. Janis, and P. Palmqvist. 2006. Estimating the body mass of extinct ungulates: a study on the use of multiple regression. Journal of Zoology 270(1):90-101


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