{"product_id":"menoceras-arikarense","title":"Menoceras arikarense","description":"\u003cp data-start=\"26\" data-end=\"452\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cem\u003e\u003cspan class=\"hover:entity-accent entity-underline inline cursor-pointer align-baseline\"\u003e\u003cspan class=\"whitespace-normal\"\u003eMenoceras arikarense\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e is an extinct species of perissodactyl mammal belonging to the Rhinocerotidae family, which lived during the early Miocene, approximately between 23 and 16 million years ago, in what is now North America. This taxon is representative of the primitive rhinoceroses of the Teleoceratina subgroup, characterized by their relatively small size and adaptations to open environments.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp data-start=\"454\" data-end=\"909\"\u003eFrom a morphological point of view, \u003cem data-start=\"491\" data-end=\"513\"\u003eMenoceras arikarense\u003c\/em\u003e was notably smaller than modern rhinoceroses, with an estimated shoulder height between 1 and 1.2 meters, a body length close to 2–2.5 meters, and an approximate weight of 300 to 500 kg. It had a compact body, with relatively short and robust limbs, suggesting stable rather than fast locomotion, consistent with a terrestrial lifestyle in plain habitats.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp data-start=\"911\" data-end=\"1347\"\u003eOne of its most distinctive features was the presence of marked sexual dimorphism in the nasal region. Males had two small bony horns (not keratinous like in modern rhinoceroses) located on the anterior part of the skull, while females lacked them or had them very reduced. These horns probably served functions related to intraspecific competition or display.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp data-start=\"1349\" data-end=\"1889\"\u003eIn terms of craniodental morphometry, the skull was relatively short and low, with a moderately elongated rostral region. The dentition was adapted to a mixed herbivorous diet, though with a predominance of soft vegetation; the molars had low to moderate crowns (brachyodont to mesodont), with wear patterns indicating browsing rather than intensive grazing. The dental formula and the structure of the premolars and molars suggest efficiency in processing leaves, shoots, and possibly fruits.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp data-start=\"1891\" data-end=\"2419\"\u003eThe postcranial skeleton shows typical perissodactyl features, with tridactyl limbs (three functional toes), the central toe being the main support for body weight. The long bones, such as the humerus and femur, were relatively short but robust, with wide diameters in relation to their length, indicating a moderate graviportal constitution. The structure of the joints suggests stable locomotion on firm ground, probably in open savanna or scattered forest environments.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp data-start=\"2421\" data-end=\"2859\"\u003eEcologically, \u003cem data-start=\"2437\" data-end=\"2459\"\u003eMenoceras arikarense\u003c\/em\u003e inhabited open and semi-open regions, such as wooded grasslands and savannas of the early Miocene. Its reduced size compared to other contemporary rhinocerotids might have allowed it to exploit specific ecological niches with less direct competition. Furthermore, sexual dimorphism suggests complex social behaviors, possibly with hierarchical or territorial structures.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eApproximate measurements of the Menoceras:\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\u003cspan\u003e1:35 Full Scale\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\u003cspan\u003eLength 68 mm \u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\u003cspan\u003eHeight 34 mm\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cspan\u003eWidth 21 mm\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\u003cspan\u003eSnout-to-tail base length 71 mm\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\u003cspan\u003e1:20 Full Scale\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\u003cspan\u003eLength 118 mm \u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\u003cspan\u003eHeight 59 mm\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\u003cspan\u003eWidth 36 mm\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\u003cspan\u003eSnout-to-tail base length 125 mm\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e","brand":"Miniature Museum","offers":[{"title":"1:35 \/ Unprimed","offer_id":54746738196748,"sku":"DC-1360-135-SINI","price":29.1,"currency_code":"EUR","in_stock":true},{"title":"1:35 \/ Primed","offer_id":54746738229516,"sku":"DC-1360-135-IMPRI","price":34.1,"currency_code":"EUR","in_stock":true},{"title":"1:35 \/ Hand-painted","offer_id":54746738262284,"sku":"DC-1360-135-PINTA","price":109.6,"currency_code":"EUR","in_stock":true},{"title":"1:20 \/ Unprimed","offer_id":54746738295052,"sku":"DC-1360-120-SINI","price":39.7,"currency_code":"EUR","in_stock":true},{"title":"1:20 \/ Primed","offer_id":54746738327820,"sku":"DC-1360-120-IMPRI","price":46.7,"currency_code":"EUR","in_stock":true},{"title":"1:20 \/ Hand-painted","offer_id":54746738360588,"sku":"DC-1360-120-PINTA","price":169.0,"currency_code":"EUR","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0672\/1106\/7660\/files\/Menoceras_1.jpg?v=1775234520","url":"https:\/\/dinosauriacreatures.com\/en\/products\/menoceras-arikarense","provider":"Dinosauria Creatures","version":"1.0","type":"link"}