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In Nebraska, during the Miocene Epoch roughly 12 million years ago, chunkily built rhinoceroses known as Teleoceras thrived in vast herds around watering holes. Recent studies have unveiled insights about these extinct creatures, shedding light on their social behavior and habitat preferences.
Research published on April 4 in Scientific Reports reveals that these corgi-like rhinoceroses did not wander extensively, instead favoring localized herding behavior. This determination stems from chemical analysis of fossilized teeth, which indicate that Teleoceras primarily fed and lived in close proximity to the Ashfall Fossil Beds State Historical Park, where a massive eruption from the Yellowstone supervolcano blanketed the area with ash, leading to the fossilization of many animals.
Clark Ward, a paleontologist at the University of Minnesota, describes the catastrophic eruption as a “bad dust storm” that suffocated and starved local wildlife. The aftermath left behind a graveyard of sorts, with approximately two hundred animal skeletons uncovered, including more than 100 well-preserved specimens of Teleoceras.
Initially thought to have an amphibious lifestyle similar to that of hippopotamuses due to their robust design, the question of their social behavior—whether they were social animals or solitary roamers—has remained a point of curiosity. To address this, Ward and his fellow researchers analyzed the isotopes in the molars of thirteen fossilized rhinos to discern their dietary habits and migratory behaviors.
By examining ratios of various oxygen, carbon, and strontium isotopes, the researchers gleaned insights into the creatures’ dietary patterns and environmental adaptations. The carbon isotopes provided clues regarding the types of vegetation they consumed, while the strontium ratios offered a glimpse into the geographical range in which they lived. The results showed little variation, indicating that Teleoceras primarily roamed and fed locally, suggesting a sedentary lifestyle supported by abundant resources.
This evidence implies that the large number of rhinos discovered at the site reflects a lifestyle lived in substantial herds rather than as nomadic travelers. Ward expressed surprise at the lack of evidence for significant migration among the rhinos, positing that young males might have typically ventured further in search of mates to mitigate inbreeding risks within localized herds.
Danielle Fraser, an evolutionary biologist at the Canadian Museum of Nature in Ottawa, noted that these findings also paint a clearer picture of the Ashfall ecosystem. The presence of adequate food and water would have allowed for the sustenance of large herbivores like Teleoceras, horses, and camels without exhausting vegetation in the area. The researchers speculate that the warm climate of the Miocene contributed to lush plant growth, or perhaps these herbivores helped cultivate their habitat by clearing older plants and enriching the soil with their waste.
Ultimately, this research not only reveals essential behavioral traits of an ancient species but also enhances understanding of the ecosystem dynamics that allowed these creatures to thrive together in a prehistoric landscape.
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