Makapania
Makapania is an extinct genus of large caprine or ovibovine from the Pliocene and Pleistocene of southern and East Africa. It is remarkable in that its horns were positioned laterally. Its body weight is estimated to have been about 263 kg.
| Makapania Temporal range: Pliocene-Pleistocene | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Reconstruction of M. broomi | |
Scientific classification  | |
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Chordata |
| Class: | Mammalia |
| Order: | Artiodactyla |
| Family: | Bovidae |
| Subfamily: | Caprinae |
| Genus: | †Makapania Wells & Cooke, 1957 |
| Species: | †M. broomi |
| Binomial name | |
| †Makapania broomi Wells & Cooke, 1957 | |
Makapania is thought to have been both a browser and a grazer. It probably preferred grasses, and would have required a nearby source of permanent water.
Makapania broomi has been found at Sterkfontein Members 4 and 5, Swartkrans Members 1-3, Gladysvale, Motsetse and possibly Coopers. It has been recovered from 3-million-year-old sediments in East Africa. The type specimen was found at Makapansgat. This species existed from about 3 mya until 1 mya, or perhaps more recently.
References
- Gould, S. J. The book of life: An illustrated history of the evolution of life on Earth. 2nd edition.
- Hilton-Barber, B. & Berger, L. R. (2004) Field guide to the Cradle of Humankind: Sterkfontein, Swartkrans, Kromdraai & Environs World Heritage Site. Struik Publishers, Cape Town.
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