目 南蹄目(Meridiungulata)是南美洲有蹄類的一個分支,可能是屬於勞亞獸總目,其下包括焦獸目、閃獸目、南方有蹄目及滑距骨目。牠們可能是源自於北美洲的踝節目祖先,並在南美洲植根[1],與奇蹄目及偶蹄目有關。[2]大部份南蹄目都是獨立於其他有蹄類進行演化,是趨同演化的一個例子。但是,一些古生物學家質疑南蹄目是否單系群,並指焦獸目與其他哺乳動物,如重腳目,比南美洲的有蹄類更為接近。[3]
參考
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^ Muizon, C.de and Cifelli, R.L. The "condylarths" (archaic Ungulata, Mammalia) from the early Paleocene of Tiupampa (Bolivia): implications on the origin of the South American ungulates. Geodiversitas. 2000, 22 (1): 47–150.
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^ Hunter, J.P. and Janis, C.M. Spiny Norman in the Garden of Eden? Dispersal and early biogeography of Placentalia. Journal of Mammalian Evolution. 2006, 13 (2): 89–123.
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^ Shockey, B.J., and Anaya, F. Pyrotherium macfaddeni, sp. nov. (late Oligocene, Bolivia) and the pedal morphology of pyrotheres. Journal of Vertebrate Paleontology. 2004, 24 (2): 481–488.