Argyrolagus is an extinct genus of South American metatherian, belonging to the order Polydolopimorpha from the Early Pliocene Monte Hermoso Formation, Patagonia, Argentina.[1]
Argyrolagus | |
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Argyrolagus palmeri | |
Scientific classification ![]() | |
Domain: | Eukaryota |
Kingdom: | Animalia |
Phylum: | Chordata |
Class: | Mammalia |
Order: | †Polydolopimorphia |
Suborder: | †Bonapartheriiformes |
Family: | †Argyrolagidae |
Genus: | †Argyrolagus Ameghino 1904 |
Type species | |
†Argyrolagus palmeri |
Description
editJumping on its hind legs, the 15–20-centimetre (5.9–7.9 in) long (without tail)[2] Argyrolagus resembled a gerbil or kultarr. It had a long tail for balance, and a narrow head with a pointed snout. Judging from its huge eyes, Argyrolagus was nocturnal. The form of its teeth suggest that it would have fed on desert plants.[3] A 2019 study confirmed that Argyrolagus was probably adapted for bipedal jumping and was probably also well adapted for digging.[4]
See also
editReferences
edit- ^ Argyrolagus at Fossilworks.org
- ^ 新版 絶滅哺乳類図鑑. Yukimitsu Tomida. 30 January 2011.
- ^ Palmer, D., ed. (1999). The Marshall Illustrated Encyclopedia of Dinosaurs and Prehistoric Animals. London: Marshall Editions. p. 203. ISBN 1-84028-152-9.
- ^ Abello, María Alejandra; Candela, Adriana Magdalena (2020). "Paleobiology of Argyrolagus (Marsupialia, Argyrolagidae): an astonishing case of bipedalism among South American mammals". Journal of Mammalian Evolution. 27 (3): 419–444. doi:10.1007/s10914-019-09470-z. S2CID 254693227.