Anoplotherium enters the LRT with Dacrytherium
Yesterday
the former enigma taxon, Dacrytherium (Fig 1), entered the large reptile tree (LRT, 2338 taxa) basal to the camel-like South American liptoterns, even though Dacrytherium was found in Eocene Europe.
Figure 1. Anoplotherium was larger than its known relatives, Dacrytherium.
” data-medium-file=”https://pterosaurheresies.wordpress.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/08/anoplotherium_commune588.jpg?w=173″ data-large-file=”https://pterosaurheresies.wordpress.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/08/anoplotherium_commune588.jpg?w=584″ class=”size-full wp-image-94296″ src=”https://pterosaurheresies.wordpress.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/08/anoplotherium_commune588.jpg” alt=”Figure 1. Anoplotherium was larger than its known relatives, Dacrytherium.” width=”584″ height=”1013″ srcset=”https://pterosaurheresies.wordpress.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/08/anoplotherium_commune588.jpg?w=584&h=1013 584w, https://pterosaurheresies.wordpress.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/08/anoplotherium_commune588.jpg?w=86&h=150 86w, https://pterosaurheresies.wordpress.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/08/anoplotherium_commune588.jpg?w=173&h=300 173w, https://pterosaurheresies.wordpress.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/08/anoplotherium_commune588.jpg 588w” sizes=”(max-width: 584px) 100vw, 584px” />
Figure 1. Anoplotherium was larger than its known relatives, Dacrytherium and two pre-camels.
Research into Dacrytherium
kept bringing up a larger coeval relative, Anopolotherium (“unarmed beast”, Cuvier 1804, Fig 1), which was preserved with several parts of its post-crania.
Despite the presence of only two phalanges on the medial manual digit, that thumb-like digit is actually digit 2. Anoplotherium walked on fingers 3 and 4, as in related taxa.
This is an example of phylogenetic bracketing trumping phalanx counting.
Uniquely,
Anopolotherium combines a long, robust tail and dual manual and pedal hooves.
That long tail is not found in other artiodactyls. Here it represents a reversal that earlier workers considered useful, serving as a tripod during high-browsing.
Then again, it may have just been a long tail without much practical use.
According to Wikipedia – Anoplotherium,
“ts exact origins are unknown, but it arose long after a shift towards drier but still subhumid conditions that led to abrasive plants and the extinctions of the large-sized Lophiodontidae, achieving gigantism and establishing itself as a dominant herbivore throughout the entirety of the western European region given its abundant fossil evidence.”
“Cuvier… hypothesized that its body structure was similar to otters except for its legs, that it was adapted for semi-aquatic life by swimming for consumption of aquatic plants, lacking long ears similar to semi-aquatic mammals, and living in marshy environments. Cuvier suggested that its lifestyle was therefore similar to semi-aquatic quadrupedal mammals like hippopotamuses and muroid rodents.”
“Today, Anoplotherium is thought to be a terrestrial browser with specialized behaviours.”
References
Cuvier G 1804. Suite des Recherches: Sur les espèces d’animaux dont proviennent les os fossiles répandus dans la pierre à plâtre des environs de Paris. Annales du Muséum National d’Histoire Naturelle, Paris (in French). 3: 364–387.
Source: https://pterosaurheresies.wordpress.com/2025/08/27/anoplotherium-enters-the-lrt-with-dacrytherium/
Anyone can join.
Anyone can contribute.
Anyone can become informed about their world.
"United We Stand" Click Here To Create Your Personal Citizen Journalist Account Today, Be Sure To Invite Your Friends.
Before It’s News® is a community of individuals who report on what’s going on around them, from all around the world. Anyone can join. Anyone can contribute. Anyone can become informed about their world. "United We Stand" Click Here To Create Your Personal Citizen Journalist Account Today, Be Sure To Invite Your Friends.
LION'S MANE PRODUCT
Try Our Lion’s Mane WHOLE MIND Nootropic Blend 60 Capsules
Mushrooms are having a moment. One fabulous fungus in particular, lion’s mane, may help improve memory, depression and anxiety symptoms. They are also an excellent source of nutrients that show promise as a therapy for dementia, and other neurodegenerative diseases. If you’re living with anxiety or depression, you may be curious about all the therapy options out there — including the natural ones.Our Lion’s Mane WHOLE MIND Nootropic Blend has been formulated to utilize the potency of Lion’s mane but also include the benefits of four other Highly Beneficial Mushrooms. Synergistically, they work together to Build your health through improving cognitive function and immunity regardless of your age. Our Nootropic not only improves your Cognitive Function and Activates your Immune System, but it benefits growth of Essential Gut Flora, further enhancing your Vitality.
Our Formula includes: Lion’s Mane Mushrooms which Increase Brain Power through nerve growth, lessen anxiety, reduce depression, and improve concentration. Its an excellent adaptogen, promotes sleep and improves immunity. Shiitake Mushrooms which Fight cancer cells and infectious disease, boost the immune system, promotes brain function, and serves as a source of B vitamins. Maitake Mushrooms which regulate blood sugar levels of diabetics, reduce hypertension and boosts the immune system. Reishi Mushrooms which Fight inflammation, liver disease, fatigue, tumor growth and cancer. They Improve skin disorders and soothes digestive problems, stomach ulcers and leaky gut syndrome. Chaga Mushrooms which have anti-aging effects, boost immune function, improve stamina and athletic performance, even act as a natural aphrodisiac, fighting diabetes and improving liver function. Try Our Lion’s Mane WHOLE MIND Nootropic Blend 60 Capsules Today. Be 100% Satisfied or Receive a Full Money Back Guarantee. Order Yours Today by Following This Link.
| Visits: | 1,721,546,334 |
| Stories: | 8,480,876 |
Whistler Blowers, Insiders
