Anoplotheriidae

/ˌænɒpləθɪˈraɪɪdiː/ noun

Definition

A family of extinct even-toed ungulates from the Eocene and Oligocene epochs, characterized by small size, simple teeth, and lack of horns or tusks.

Etymology

Derived from 'anoplothere' + Latin '-idae' (family suffix), establishing a formal taxonomic family name following Linnaean conventions developed in the 18th century.

Kelly Says

This entire family of animals vanished during a cooling climate event around 33 million years ago—their fossils are so perfectly preserved in certain deposits that we know exactly what they ate by analyzing their fossilized teeth.

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