Amynodontidae

Amynodontidae ("defensive tooth")^[4] is a family of extinct perissodactyls related to true rhinoceroses. They are commonly portrayed as semiaquatic hippo-like rhinos^[5][6] but this description only fits members of the Metamynodontini; other groups of amynodonts like the cadurcodontines had more typical ungulate proportions and convergently evolved a tapir-like proboscis.

Amynodontids Temporal range: Late Eocene–Late Oligocene PreꞒ Ꞓ O S D C P T J K Pg N
Gigantamynodon (left), Metamynodon (on the far shore), and Cadurcodon.
Scientific classification
Kingdom:	Animalia
Phylum:	Chordata
Class:	Mammalia
Order:	Perissodactyla
Superfamily:	Rhinocerotoidea
Family:	†Amynodontidae Scott & Osborn, 1883[1]
Type genus
†Amynodon Marsh, 1877[2]
Genera[3]
See text
Range of Amynodontidae based on fossil record

Tooth paratype of Cadurcotherium nouleti – MHNT

Zaisanamynodon protheroi

The Greek name of the family describes their tusks, derived from enlarged canine teeth. Odd-toed ungulates are herbivores, so these tusks would have been used either to deter or defend against predators (as suggested by the name) or perhaps in fights among males.^[7]

Their fossils have been found in North America, and Eurasia ranging in age from the Middle Eocene to the Early Oligocene, with a single genus (Cadurcotherium) surviving into the Late Oligocene in South Asia (Pakistan).^[8]

Taxonomy

†Amynodontidae

• Subfamily Amynodontinae
  • Tribe Cadurcodontini
    • Genus Cadurcodon^[9]
    • Genus Lushiamynodon^[9]
    • Genus Sharamynodon^[9]
  • Tribe Metamynodontini
    • Genus Gigantamynodon^[9]
    • Genus Metamynodon
    • Genus Paramynodon^[9]
    • Genus Zaisanamynodon^[9]
  • Tribe incertae sedis
    • Genus Amynodon^[9]
• Subfamily incertae sedis
  • Genus Amynodontopsis^[9]
  • Genus Armania^[10]
  • Genus Cadurcotherium^[9]
  • Genus Caenolophus^[11]
  • Genus Hypsamynodon^[9]
  • Genus Megalamynodon^[9]
  • Genus Penetrigonias^[12]
  • Genus Procadurcodon^[9]
  • Genus Rostriamynodon^[13]
  • Genus Teilhardia^[13]