Astrapotherium magnum (Owen, 1853)
Systematics: Mammalia Meridiungulata Astrapotheria Astrapotheriidae
Size: 2.5 m long
Type Horizon and Locality: Early Miocene, Santa Cruz Formation (Santacrucian) Santa Cruz Province, Argentina
Type Specimen: MACN A 52-524 (Lectotype) right mandibular fragment
Astrapotherium ("Lightning beast") was a peculiar mammal from the Miocene South America which probably looked like a cross between an hippopotamus and a tapir, although unrelated to either. Nostrils high on the skull indicate it had a trunk. Originally named Nesodon magnus based on a molar by Richard Owen, the type species, A. magnum is today known from relatively complete fossils and have been found in both Argentina and Chile.
July 12, 2020
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