Schizotheriinae

Schizotheriinae Temporal range: 34–0.781 Ma PreЄ Є O S D C P T J K Pg N Late Miocene to Early Pleistocene
Moropus elatus at the National Museum of Natural History, Washington, DC
Scientific classification
Kingdom:	Animalia
Phylum:	Chordata
Class:	Mammalia
Order:	Perissodactyla
Suborder:	†Ancylopoda
Superfamily:	†Chalicotherioidea
Family:	†Chalicotheriidae
Subfamily:	†Schizotheriinae Holland and Peterson, 1914
Genera
†Ancylotherium †Borissiakia †Chemositia †Metaschizotherium †Moropus †Nestoritherium †Phyllotillon †Schizotherium †Tylocephalonyx

Schizotheriines make up an extinct clade of the family Chalicotheriidae, a group of herbivorous, odd-toed ungulate (perissodactyl) mammals. Unlike the gorilla-like proportions of other chalicotheres, schizotheriines had smaller body proportions, closer to those of Moropus. Analysis of dental microwear implies most Miocene Schizotheriinae fed on leaves, bark, and twigs. Their claws were most likely used in a hook-like manner to pull down branches, suggesting they lived as bipedal browsers.^[1] They are related to the modern horse, rhino, and tapir.^[2]

References

1. Coombs, Margery C. (13 Feb 2009). "The chalicothere Metaschizotherium bavaricum (Perissodactyla, Chalicotheriidae, Schizotheriinae) from the Miocene (MN5) Lagerstatte of Sandelzhausen (Germany): description, comparison, and paleoecological significance". Paläontologische Zeitschrift. Springer Berlin / Heidelberg. 83 (1): 85–129. doi:10.1007/s12542-009-0004-x. Retrieved 2009-12-29.
2. Palmer, D., ed. (1999). The Marshall Illustrated Encyclopedia of Dinosaurs and Prehistoric Animals. London: Marshall Editions. p. 261. ISBN 1-84028-152-9.

See also

• Moropus
• Ancylotherium
• Nestorotherium