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Chalicotheriinae

Chalicotheriinae
Temporal range: Late Miocene to Early Pliocene
ChalicotheriumDB1.jpg
Anisodon grande, formerly Chalicotherium grande
Fossil
Scientific classification
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Class: Mammalia
Order: Perissodactyla
Suborder: Ancylopoda
Superfamily: Chalicotherioidea
Family: Chalicotheriidae
Subfamily: †Chalicotheriinae
Holland and Peterson, 1914
Genera

Chalicotheriines make up an extinct subfamily of the family Chalicotheriidae, a group of herbivorous, odd-toed ungulate (perissodactyl) mammals. Characteristics of this group included a horse-like long head, very long forelimbs, short hindlimbs, a partial knuckle-walking position and a relatively gorilla-like physique. Members of this subfamily were regarded as possessing one of the longest forelimbs and shortest hindlimbs in relation to each other out of all extinct animals. Analysis of dental wear implies most chalicotheriines fed on seeds and fruit. Their claws were most likely used in a hook-like manner to pull down branches, suggesting they lived as bipedal browsers. Presence of chalicotheriine fossils is generally regarded as an indicator of treed environments.



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Wikipedia

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