Pakotitanops is a genus of poorly known brontothere represented only by a few tooth fragments.[1] Its fossil dates from the middle Eocene Kuldana Formation, in the Ganda Kas area of Pakistan. Because this species is known only from a few tooth fragments it is difficult to compare it to other species to determine if it is indeed a distinct species and to what other species it is mostly closely related.

Pakotitanops
Temporal range: Middle Eocene
Scientific classification Edit this classification
Domain: Eukaryota
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Class: Mammalia
Order: Perissodactyla
Family: Brontotheriidae
Genus: Pakotitanops
West, 1980
Species:
P. latidentatus
Binomial name
Pakotitanops latidentatus
West, 1980

Other brontotheres from Pakistan include Eotitanops? dayi and Mulkrajanops moghliensis. Pakotitanops is larger than either of these species. The dental fragments are most similar in size and shape to Dolichorhinus, a North American brontothere from the middle Eocene, and possibly represents a close Asian relative of Pakotitanops.

References edit

  1. ^ West, Robert M. (1980). "Middle Eocene large mammal assemblage with Tethyan affinities, Ganda Kas region, Pakistan". Journal of Paleontology. 54: 508–533.