Post by Infinity Blade on Apr 14, 2015 7:23:47 GMT 5
Kopidodon macrognathus
© @ avancna
Temporal range: Early Eocene (Ypresian; ~48-47Ma)
Scientific classification:
Domain: Eukaryota
(unranked): Unikonta
(unranked): Opisthokonta
(unranked): Holozoa
(unranked): Filozoa
Kingdom: Animalia
Subkingdom: Eumetazoa
(unranked): Bilateria
Superphylum: Deuterostomia
Phylum: Chordata
Infraphylum: Gnathostomata
Clade: Eugnathostomata
Clade: Teleostomi
Superclass: Tetrapoda
Clade: Reptiliomorpha
Clade: Amniota
Clade: Synapsida
Clade: Eupelycosauria
Clade: Sphenacodontia
Clade: Sphenacodontoidea
Order: Therapsida
Suborder: Cynodontia
Clade: Prozostrodontia
Clade: Mammaliaformes
Class: Mammalia
Legion: Cladotheria
Sublegion: Zatheria
Infralegion: Tribosphenida
Subclass: Theria
Clade: Eutheria
Order: †Cimolesta
Suborder: †Pantolesta
Family: †Paroxyclaenidae
Subfamily: †Paroxyclaeninae
Genus: †Kopidodon
Species: †K. macrognathus
Kopidodon macrognathus is an extinct species of squirrel-like cimolestan that lived in Germany during the Eocene (~47Ma; Messel Pit). It was apparently about as large as a raccoon. The posterior premolar teeth were intermediate in terms of robustness like in all members of its family and the molars were broad as well as low-crowned (so they could probably be considered brachydont). Kopidodon's skull was short and the snout was brevirostrine. It's been suggested that Kopidodon was possibly omnivorous. As for its postcranial anatomy, Kopidodon's skeleton was, for the most part, similar to those of procyonids sans more robust in the former. Judging from features from its forelimbs, the forearm was capable of a notable degree of supination and the ankles were flexible. Plantigrade feet with short, deep, and lateromedially compressed ungual phalanges are also associated with Kopidodon. Moreover, fossils with the fur outline preserved make a bushy tail akin to animals such as squirrels easily discernable. All of these features suggest Kopidodon was arboreal.[1]
Fossil remains of Kopidodon macrognathus.
References:
[1] Kenneth D. Rose (2006). The Beginning of the Age of Mammals.
© @ avancna
Temporal range: Early Eocene (Ypresian; ~48-47Ma)
Scientific classification:
Domain: Eukaryota
(unranked): Unikonta
(unranked): Opisthokonta
(unranked): Holozoa
(unranked): Filozoa
Kingdom: Animalia
Subkingdom: Eumetazoa
(unranked): Bilateria
Superphylum: Deuterostomia
Phylum: Chordata
Infraphylum: Gnathostomata
Clade: Eugnathostomata
Clade: Teleostomi
Superclass: Tetrapoda
Clade: Reptiliomorpha
Clade: Amniota
Clade: Synapsida
Clade: Eupelycosauria
Clade: Sphenacodontia
Clade: Sphenacodontoidea
Order: Therapsida
Suborder: Cynodontia
Clade: Prozostrodontia
Clade: Mammaliaformes
Class: Mammalia
Legion: Cladotheria
Sublegion: Zatheria
Infralegion: Tribosphenida
Subclass: Theria
Clade: Eutheria
Order: †Cimolesta
Suborder: †Pantolesta
Family: †Paroxyclaenidae
Subfamily: †Paroxyclaeninae
Genus: †Kopidodon
Species: †K. macrognathus
Kopidodon macrognathus is an extinct species of squirrel-like cimolestan that lived in Germany during the Eocene (~47Ma; Messel Pit). It was apparently about as large as a raccoon. The posterior premolar teeth were intermediate in terms of robustness like in all members of its family and the molars were broad as well as low-crowned (so they could probably be considered brachydont). Kopidodon's skull was short and the snout was brevirostrine. It's been suggested that Kopidodon was possibly omnivorous. As for its postcranial anatomy, Kopidodon's skeleton was, for the most part, similar to those of procyonids sans more robust in the former. Judging from features from its forelimbs, the forearm was capable of a notable degree of supination and the ankles were flexible. Plantigrade feet with short, deep, and lateromedially compressed ungual phalanges are also associated with Kopidodon. Moreover, fossils with the fur outline preserved make a bushy tail akin to animals such as squirrels easily discernable. All of these features suggest Kopidodon was arboreal.[1]
Fossil remains of Kopidodon macrognathus.
References:
[1] Kenneth D. Rose (2006). The Beginning of the Age of Mammals.
