Dichobune

Dichobune robertiana

Resurrected on:

13 feb. 2021

Genus information

Dichobune is a genus of very primitive ungulate that lived during the Eocene and Oligocene epoch throughout Europe. It belonged to the Dichobunidae family and represented one of the earliest known ungulates. In life, Dichobune would have resembled a duiker or chevrotain with an elongated skull and a long tail. Each foot retained several toes with small hooves. They were probably fast-running animals due to their long limbs and slender build body. The shape of their teeth suggests they were browsers, feeding on small leaves in the undergrowth of dense forests or semi-open landscapes.

Family:

Distribution:

Epoch:

Dichobunidae

Europe

Eocene to Oligocene

Species information

Dichobune robertiana is one of at least four species within its genus and fossils have been found in France, Switzerland and the UK, dating from the Eocene epoch. D. robertiana was the oldest and smallest species within the genus, reaching about 40 cm in length and weighted about 2,5 kg.

Species:

Paleontologist:

Distribution:

Epoch:

Dichobune robertiana

Gervais, 1848

Europe

Eocene

Length:

Height:

Weight:

40 cm

30 cm

2,5 kg

Reference:

Theodor, J.M., J. Erfurt, and G. Metais. 2007. The earliest artiodactyls. In D. R. Prothero, S. E. Foss (eds.), The Evolution of Artiodactyls