Nexuotapirus

Nexuotapirus is an extinct genus of tapir from the Late Oligocene and Early Miocene of North America.

Nexuotapirus Temporal range: Late Oligocene - Early Miocene
Nexuotapirus robustus jawbone
Scientific classification
Kingdom:	Animalia
Phylum:	Chordata
Class:	Mammalia
Order:	Perissodactyla
Family:	Tapiridae
Genus:	†Nexuotapirus Albright, 1998[1]
Type species
†Nexuotapirus marslandensis Schoch, 1984
Species
N. marslandensis N. robustus

Taxonomy

Nexuotapirus was erected in 1998. The type species, N. marslandensis, was originally classified under Miotapirus. The second species, N. robustus, was originally placed in Protapirus but was also moved to Nexuotapirus based on comparable lower dentition.^[2]

Description

Nexuotapirus shows both plesiomorphic and derived features compared to other early tapirs, making its exact relationship with them difficult to place.^[3]

Primitive traits of the genus include less molar-like premolars and incisive foramina that extend posteriorly through the postcanine diastema, as well as a braincase that tapers towards the back. More advanced features include deep retraction of the nasal incision, nasal shortening, frontal shortening, and reduction of the supraorbital process, features comparable to the modern Tapirus.^[2]