New discovery ofIranotherium morgani(Perissodactyla, Rhinocerotidae) from the late Miocene of the Linxia Basin in Gansu, China, and its sexual dimorphism

2005/06/27 by Tao Deng · 5 citations
Earth and Planetary Sciences · Environmental Science · Mathematics · #Evolution and Paleontology Studies #Wildlife Ecology and Conservation #Morphological variations and asymmetry

paper · doi:10.1671/0272-4634(2005)025[0442:ndoimp]2.0.co;2

openalex publication_date 2005/06/27 · openalex created_date 2016/06/24 · openalex updated_date 2026/07/29

Abstract

A large-bodied (skull length 775 mm) elasmothere rhinoceros was discovered in the early late Miocene (equivalent to the European Vallesian) Liushu Formation of the Linxia Basin in northwestern China. Iranotherium morgani, represented by two skulls and a mandible, is the only known rhinoceros with a rugosity on each zygomatic arch of the male individual. Such a unique cranial feature is otherwise unknown among rhinoceroses. Numerous cranial and dental characteristics indicate that Iranotherium morgani is a member of Elasmotheriini, an enigmatic clade of Rhinocerotinae. The large, robust areas on the zygomas of the male Iranotherium, for larger masseteric and temporalis musculature, suggest that these rhinoceroses were sexually dimorphic, probably similar to their artiodactyl counterparts in an open grassland fauna.

Cited by

• Reappraisal of the late Miocene elasmotheriine Parelasmotherium schansiense from Kutschwan (Shanxi Province, China) and its phylogenetic relationships
• The most primitive Elasmotherium (Perissodactyla, Rhinocerotidae) from the Late Miocene of northern China
• A bizarre tandem-horned elasmothere rhino from the Late Miocene of northwestern China and origin of the true elasmothere
• Out of Tibet: Pliocene Woolly Rhino Suggests High-Plateau Origin of Ice Age Megaherbivores
• Liushu Formation [wikipedia]