Glyptodon
Glyptodon
Glyptodon (from Greek for "grooved or carved tooth": γλυπτός "sculptured" and ὀδοντ-, ὀδούς "tooth") is a genus of large, heavily armored mammals of the subfamily Glyptodontinae (glyptodonts or glyptodontines) – relatives of armadillos – that lived during the Pleistocene epoch on old Earth and are found roaming Eden in plentiful numbers. It is roughly the same size and weight as a Volkswagen Beetle, though flatter in shape. With its rounded, bony shell and squat limbs, it superficially resembles a turtle, and the much earlier dinosaurian ankylosaur – providing an example of the convergent evolution of unrelated lineages into similar forms. In 2016 an analysis of Doedicurus mitochondrial DNA found it was, in fact, nested within the modern old Earth armadillos as the sister group of a clade consisting of Chlamyphorinae and Tolypeutinae. For this reason, glyptodonts and all armadillos but Dasypus were relocated to a new family, Chlamyphoridae, and glyptodonts were demoted from the former family Glyptodontidae to a subfamily.
Glyptodon (from Greek for "grooved or carved tooth": γλυπτός "sculptured" and ὀδοντ-, ὀδούς "tooth") is a genus of large, heavily armored mammals of the subfamily Glyptodontinae (glyptodonts or glyptodontines) – relatives of armadillos – that lived during the Pleistocene epoch on old Earth and are found roaming Eden in plentiful numbers. It is roughly the same size and weight as a Volkswagen Beetle, though flatter in shape. With its rounded, bony shell and squat limbs, it superficially resembles a turtle, and the much earlier dinosaurian ankylosaur – providing an example of the convergent evolution of unrelated lineages into similar forms. In 2016 an analysis of Doedicurus mitochondrial DNA found it was, in fact, nested within the modern old Earth armadillos as the sister group of a clade consisting of Chlamyphorinae and Tolypeutinae. For this reason, glyptodonts and all armadillos but Dasypus were relocated to a new family, Chlamyphoridae, and glyptodonts were demoted from the former family Glyptodontidae to a subfamily.
Basic Information
Anatomy
Glyptodon; measures 3.3 meters (11 ft) in length, 1.5 meters (4.9 ft) in height and weighed up to 2 tons (4,400 lb).
Skull; The nasal passage is reduced with heavy muscle attachments for the manipulation of it's elongated proboscis, or short trunk, much like that of a tapir or elephant. The lower jaws are very deep and help support massive chewing muscles to help chew coarse fibrous plants. Teeth resemble those of the armadillo of old Earth, but are fluted on each side by deep grooves. The anterior teeth are compressed, while the posterior teeth are cylindrical. A distinctive bar of bone projects downwards on the cheek, extending over the lower jaw, providing an anchor for powerful snout muscles.
Osteoderms; Glyptodon’s osteoderms are attached by syntoses and are found in double or triple rows on the front and sides of the carapace's edges, as well as in the tail armor and cephalic shield. The carapace's osteoderms are conical with a rounded point, while the ones on the tail are just conical. The sulci between these raised structures are deep and wide with parallel lines. In the early 2000s of old Earth, the presence of osteoderms on Glyptodon’s face, hind legs, and underside was confirmed in several species. The fossils with these characteristics were from the Pleistocene and have been confirmed to be true with the Glyptodon's of Eden. These small to medium-sized ossicles are actually embedded in the dermis and do not connect in a pattern.
Skull; The nasal passage is reduced with heavy muscle attachments for the manipulation of it's elongated proboscis, or short trunk, much like that of a tapir or elephant. The lower jaws are very deep and help support massive chewing muscles to help chew coarse fibrous plants. Teeth resemble those of the armadillo of old Earth, but are fluted on each side by deep grooves. The anterior teeth are compressed, while the posterior teeth are cylindrical. A distinctive bar of bone projects downwards on the cheek, extending over the lower jaw, providing an anchor for powerful snout muscles.
Osteoderms; Glyptodon’s osteoderms are attached by syntoses and are found in double or triple rows on the front and sides of the carapace's edges, as well as in the tail armor and cephalic shield. The carapace's osteoderms are conical with a rounded point, while the ones on the tail are just conical. The sulci between these raised structures are deep and wide with parallel lines. In the early 2000s of old Earth, the presence of osteoderms on Glyptodon’s face, hind legs, and underside was confirmed in several species. The fossils with these characteristics were from the Pleistocene and have been confirmed to be true with the Glyptodon's of Eden. These small to medium-sized ossicles are actually embedded in the dermis and do not connect in a pattern.
Scientific Name
Kingdom: Animalia, Phylum: Chordata, Class: Mammalia, Order: Cingulata, Family: Chlamyphoridae, Subfamily: Glyptodontinae, Genus: Glyptodon
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