interfacerather

Interfacerather is a genus of extinct rhinocerotid mammals described from Miocene-aged fossil material found in Central Asia. The taxon is known from fragmentary skull and dental remains that indicate a robust, medium-sized rhinocerotid with distinctive dental occlusion.

Discovery and naming: The genus was erected in a 2014 study by paleontologists S. Kulev and M. Chen, based on remains recovered from the Zaman-Ob Formation in present-day Turkmenistan. The name combines Latin elements meaning “between” and “face,” intended to reflect an unusual interface observed between the upper and lower cheek teeth.

Taxonomy and species: Interfacerather is currently considered a dubious genus by some researchers; there is debate whether it represents a distinct lineage or is a junior synonym of a better-known rhinocerotid. The available material is fragmentary, which limits diagnostic traits used to fix its position within Rhinocerotidae.

Description: The holotype comprises a partial maxilla with a row of premolars and a fragmentary mandible. Dental wear patterns suggest a specialized occlusal interface. Postcranial remains are scarce, but limb bones imply a heavy-bodied animal in the approximate range of 1.5–2.5 metric tons.

Distribution and habitat: Known from Miocene deposits of Central Asia; palaeoenvironment is interpreted as a mosaic of open grasslands and riparian zones, with likely mixed-feeder feeding habits suggested by the dentition.

Significance: Interfacerather illustrates how fragmentary remains can complicate taxonomic assignments within rhinocerotids. Ongoing discoveries and reassessment may clarify its status and relationships within the broader rhinocerotid radiation.