Notochoerus is an extinct genus of very large pigs from the subfamily Tetraconodontinae. Fossils have been found in Africa, notably Uganda and Ethiopia.
Description
Notochoerus were among the largest pigs ever, with adults weighing up to .
[Evolving Eden By Alan Turner and Mauricio Anton] These pigs were likely derived from the genus
Nyanzachoerus. Like other tetraconodontine pigs, the males had ornamental growths on their skulls, formed from enamel.
Palaeoecology
Notochoerus is believed to have been specialised for arid environments and fed on abrasive vegetation, and some researchers attribute this supposed overspecialisation to have caused the
Notochoerus to be maladapted for more variable environments.
had more hypsodont teeth in comparison to the contemporary
Nyanzachoerus kanamensis, suggesting the former relied more heavily on grazing compared to the latter.
