Neha Patil (Editor)

Giraffokeryx

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Kingdom
  
Animalia

Family
  
Giraffidae

Rank
  
Genus

Class
  
Mammalia

Phylum
  
Chordata

Order
  
Even-toed ungulate

Giraffokeryx orig06deviantartnet4543f2012340cbgiraffok

Similar
  
Palaeotragus, Samotherium, Bohlinia, Bramatherium, Even‑toed ungulate

Giraffokeryx is an extinct genus of medium-sized giraffid known from the Miocene of the Indian subcontinent and Eurasia. It is distinguished from other giraffids by the four ossicones on its head; one pair in front of the eyes on the anterior aspect of the frontal bone and the other behind the eyes in the fronto-parietal region overhanging the temporal fossae. It has a brachydont dentition like in other giraffids and legs and feet are of medium length.

Giraffokeryx giraffokeryx DeviantArt

Giraffokeryx is considered monotypic by most authors, in the form of G. punjabiensis, but other species have been assigned to the genus:


  • G. chinjensis was assigned to the genus but later included within the extinct species Giraffa priscilla. The distribution of this latter species and G. punjabiensis indicates that the Himalayas still didn't act as a barrier for faunal dispersal during the middle Miocene.
  • G. anatoliensis, a partial skull with a post-orbital horn and isolated teeth from Turkey, had shorter and less inclined horns than G. punjabiensis.

  • Giraffokeryx Giraffokeryx by Kanrei on DeviantArt

    Giraffokeryx resembled either an okapi or a small giraffe. It is a possible ancestor of both.

    Giraffokeryx Giraffokeryx Miocene Ken Trossen Flickr

    Giraffokeryx

    References

    Giraffokeryx Wikipedia