Indohyus

Graphic representation of Indohyus

• Asia (India, Pakistan)

Indohyus is an extinct genus of Artiodactyla ( Artiodactyla ), who lived on the Indian subcontinent about 48 million years ago. Indohyus is considered as a link between land mammals and whales. Indohyus was about the size of a raccoon and most similar to the African mouse deer. The thickened ear bone is the most important feature that speaks for the direct descent of whales from Indohyus, because this feature is found only in whales. A strong thickening of the outer layers of bone, called osteosclerosis, further suggests that the animals have lived partly in the water. This feature can also be found in the extant hippos and allows a labor-saving, wading locomotion under water.

Species

• Indohyus indirae
• Indohyus major

Credentials

• Ungulates
• Extinct Artiodactyla
• Artiodactyla