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Taxonomy

Morphology

  • Small size: the mean estimated body mass is 482kg approximately a third the size of the larger living Hippopotamus amphibius.  
  • Robust relatively short broad skull: if the crania of the two Malagasy dwarf hippos are compared Hippopotamus lemerlei in contrast has a long narrow skull.
  • Superorbital margin thin: Hippopotamus lemerlei in contrast has a thick or swollen superorbital margin.
H. lemerlei skull

H. lemerlei (NHM M82190): superorbital margin thick or swollen above eye socket.

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