The genus Cainotherium was founded by Bravard in the year 1835. Since his time it has received the following names:—Cyclognathus, Geoffroy St. Hilaire, 1835; Microtherium, Herm. von Meyer, 1837; Oplotherium and Plectognathus, Laizet and De Parieu, 1838; whilst the characteristically synthetic mind of De Blainville reunited it to the genus Anoplotherium, under the title of latecurvatum.

Gervais says it is probable that many species, and not one only, can be recognized amongst the remains which have been discovered, and that this conclusion has been admitted by all palæontologists who have studied these small pachyderms.