Merycoidodon culbertsoni

Name: Merycoidodon culbertsoni (oreodont)

Age: oligocene, brule formation

Origin: shannon county, south dakota, usa

size: 110 cm 

the blue part in the bone map are originals

the blue part in the bone map are originals

The Oreodont Merycoidodon culbertsoni skeleton is a well-preserved, complete specimen of the fossilized remains of an extinct species of artiodactyl mammal. It was discovered in the Oligocene-aged White River Formation of South Dakota, USA, and is now housed in a museum or collection.

The skeleton is typically around 60-70 cm in length and is characterized by a sturdy, compact body and short legs. The skull is relatively large, with large eye sockets, heavy brow ridges, and a prominent jaw with molars adapted for grinding plant material. The spinal column is short and stout, with broad vertebrae and short, robust ribs. The limbs are short and muscular, with long, strong clavicles, robust scapulae, and thick, robust femurs.

Overall, the Oreodont Merycoidodon culbertsoni skeleton provides a unique glimpse into the anatomy and behavior of an extinct group of mammals that lived during the Oligocene epoch. It is of great value to scientists studying the evolution and adaptation of early mammals and the paleoecology of the late Oligocene.