rivercrosser

River Crosser is a genus of extinct rodents that lived during the Pleistocene epoch. The name "River Crosser" is derived from the genus name Stegomachetes, which means "high-mettled rivercrosser" in Greek. It was first described by Laturated, a French paleontologist, in 1972.

Geological findings indicate that River Crosser fossils were discovered in deposits of post-Eocene strata, specifically in western Europe and northern Africa. The genus is considered to be part of the family Neofelidae, a group of European and African beaver-like rodents from the Pleistocene epoch.

The physical characteristics of River Crossers suggest a semi-aquatic lifestyle, judging by their specialized canine teeth and cheek teeth, as well as the similar stratigraphic occurrence of River Crosser and other aquatic mammals. However, their morphology does not resemble that of modern water rats, instead being more similar to that of beavers.

The dietary preferences of River Crossers are inferred to be similar to those of beavers, as suggested by the anatomical convergence of their dentition. They likely were herbivorous or omnivorous, and their reliance on aquatic environments for food and shelter is inferred from their specialized dental morphology and morphological convergence with semi-aquatic rodents.

Analysis of fossil materials suggests that the known species of River Crosser are relatively large, with estimates suggesting maximum body lengths of up to 50 centimeters and weights of several kilograms.