Pyrotherium romeroi Ameghino, 1889
Mammalia
Eutheria
Notoungulata
Pyrotheria
Pyrotheriidae
Late Oligocene
Deseada Fm
Argentina
Length: 3 m
Pyrotherium was originally described as a Cretaceous mammal ancestral to elephants, but later studies indicated it was late oligocene in age and had no affinities with any existing mammals. The name Pyrotherium which means "Fire beast" refers to the volcanic ashes deposits in which the remains were found.
November 29, 2014
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