Riveri

Riveri is a genus of extinct dwarf hippos, known for their diminutive size and unique morphological features. The discovery of riveri fossils has shed light on the evolution of hippopotamids and the history of island dwarfism.

The riveri genus was first described in 2015, based on a cache of well-preserved fossil remains found in caves on the island of Crete, Greece. Subsequent studies have identified at least two species within the genus, which are thought to have lived on the island during the Paleolithic era.

Riveri hippos were significantly smaller than their modern counterparts, with adult individuals estimated to have weighed between 20-40 kilograms. This dwarfism is thought to have been a result of island isolation, which would have led to reduced competition for resources and possibly constituting to smaller body size over time.

One of the most notable features of riveri hippos is their highly specialized skull morphology. The species exhibited relatively short, broad skulls with an unusually short snout and prominent crest on the nasal bones. The sediment samples in which the fossils were embedded, were dated using radiocarbon dating techniques, which confirmed the age of the material to be during the Paleolithic era of 40,000-70,000 years ago.

Riveri fossils were found as part of a larger assemblage of Pleistocene megafauna, alongside species such as the cave lion, cave bear, and elephant. Overall, the discovery of riveri provides a fascinating insight into the evolution of these unusual creatures and the consequences of island isolation.