Pterogaulus
| Pterogaulus Temporal range: Miocene
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Scientific classification 
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| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Chordata |
| Class: | Mammalia |
| Order: | Rodentia |
| Family: | †Mylagaulidae |
| Genus: | †Pterogaulus Korth, 2000 |
| Species | |
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| Synonyms | |
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Pterogaulus is a genus of mylagauline rodent from Miocene North America.[1]
Description
[edit]Similar to other members of Mylagaulidae, Pterogaulus was fossorial, living in underground burrows. These burrows could be as long as 7 meters in length, and were similar in construction to modern gophers.[2] Despite being grouped closely with the horned Ceratogaulus, Pterogaulus lacks any indication of nasal horns.[3] The post-orbital processes are large, and the premolars bear a small depression.[4][3][5] The fourth premolar in particular has a branched pattern, with an antero-posteriorly elongated enamel lake.[6][5]
Classification
[edit]Pterogaulus is grouped with the derived subfamily Mylagaulinae within Mylagaulidae, closest to the genus Umbogaulus.[6]
References
[edit]- ^ "Mindat.org". www.mindat.org. Retrieved 2025-10-25.
- ^ Gobetz, Katrina E. (2006-08-04). "Possible burrows of mylagaulids (Rodentia: Aplodontoidea: Mylagaulidae) from the late Miocene (Barstovian) Pawnee Creek Formation of northeastern Colorado". Palaeogeography, Palaeoclimatology, Palaeoecology. 237 (2): 119–136. doi:10.1016/j.palaeo.2005.09.004. ISSN 0031-0182.
- ^ a b Carnegie Museum; Museum, Carnegie; History, Carnegie Museum of Natural (2000). Annals of the Carnegie Museum. Vol. v.69 (2000:Feb.-Nov.). [Pittsburgh]: Published by authority of the Board of Trustees of the Carnegie Institute.
- ^ Rivp, Paludicola (2012-01-01). "Paludicola vol 8, issue 4 May 2012". Rochester Institute of Vertebrate Paleontology.
- ^ a b Korth, William W. (2013-09-01). "Mylagaulid Rodents (Mammalia: Rodentia: Mylagaulidae) from the Middle Miocene (Barstovian) of New Mexico". Annals of Carnegie Museum. 81 (4): 233–245. doi:10.2992/007.081.0403.
- ^ a b Hopkins, Samantha S. B. (2005-08-22). "The evolution of fossoriality and the adaptive role of horns in the Mylagaulidae (Mammalia: Rodentia)". Proceedings. Biological Sciences. 272 (1573): 1705–1713. doi:10.1098/rspb.2005.3171. ISSN 0962-8452. PMC 1559849. PMID 16087426.
