Extinct Mammalia of Dakota and Nebraska

paper by Leidy

Written by

The Information Architects of Encyclopaedia Britannica

Last updated

June 26, 2026

Quick Summary

Joseph Leidy's 1869 paper, "On the Extinct Mammalia of Dakota and Nebraska," is a foundational work in American paleontology. This paper detailed the study of fossil mammals discovered in the western United States, contributing significantly to the understanding of prehistoric life in North America. Leidy's research established the presence of various extinct mammals, including horses, lions, tigers, camels, and rhinoceroses, on the continent long before modern times. This work is considered by some to be one of the most important paleontological publications from the United States.1

Summary created from Britannica articles using AI. AI can make mistakes, so verify using Britannica articles.

3 Britannica Sources

Ask Britannica AI about this topic

Britannica doesn't have a full article on this topic, so we've curated a list of our relevant coverage.

Joseph Leidy
…the subject, and “On the Extinct Mammalia of Dakota and Nebraska” (1869), described by the prominent U.S. paleontologist Henry Osborn as possibly the most important paleontological work produced in the United States.
Read More
…the subject, and “On the Extinct Mammalia of Dakota and Nebraska” (1869), described by the prominent U.S. paleontologist Henry Osborn as possibly the most important paleontological work produced in the United States.
Read More