Macrocranion
| Macrocranion Temporal range: Early Eocene
| |
|---|---|
| |
| M. tupaiodon in Staatliches Museum, Germany | |
Scientific classification 
| |
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Chordata |
| Class: | Mammalia |
| Infraclass: | Placentalia |
| Order: | Eulipotyphla |
| Family: | †Amphilemuridae |
| Genus: | †Macrocranion Weitzel, 1949 |
| Species[1] | |
| |
| Synonyms | |
| |
Macrocranion is a genus of extinct mammal from the Eocene epoch of Europe and North America.[2] Exceptional fossils have been found in the Messel Pit of Germany.[3] Macrocranion species are often described as forest-floor predators, about the size of small squirrels but with longer limbs.[4] The genus is represented at the Messel Pit site by two species, M. tupaidon and M. tenerum.
M. tupaiodon had woolly fur with no spikes. Although possibly an omnivore, fossil remains indicate the specimen had eaten fish near the time of its death. This small animal was approximately fifteen cm in length, with long back legs capable of considerable speed.[citation needed]
The fossil of M. tenerum is five cm long. The species also had long legs for rapid movement, but its fur included a spiky protection. The long legs, however, indicate the animal could not have effectively rolled up for defense. Fossilized stomach remains show that M. tenerum's diet included ants, so it may have been an insectivore.[citation needed]
The oldest species are M. vandebroeki from the Paleocene-Eocene transition of Northern Europe and M. junnei from the Wasatchian (Early Eocene) of Wyoming.[5]
References
- ^ a b "Macrocranion general information". The Paleobiology Database. Retrieved 17 December 2021.
- ^ Rose, Kenneth D. (2006). The beginning of the age of mammals. Baltimore: Johns Hopkins University Press. ISBN 080189221X.
- ^ Maier, W. (1977). "Macrocranion tupaiodon Weitzel, 1949, - ein igelartiger Insektivor aus dem Eozän von Messel und seine Beziehungen zum Ursprung der Primaten". Journal of Zoological Systematics and Evolutionary Research. 15 (4): 311–318. doi:10.1111/j.1439-0469.1977.tb00544.x.
- ^ Maier, Wolfgang (1979). "Macrocranion tupaiodon, an adapisoricid (?) Insectivore from the Eocene of 'Grube Messel' (Western Germany)". Paläontologische Zeitschrift. 53 (1–2): 38–62. Bibcode:1979PalZ...53...38M. doi:10.1007/BF02987787. S2CID 84124639.
- ^ Smith, T.; Bloch, J. I.; Strait, S. G. & Gingerich, P. D. (2002). "New species of Macrocranion (Mammalia, Lipotyphla) from the earliest Eocene of North America and its biogeographic implications" (PDF). Contributions from the Museum of Paleontology, University of Michigan. 30 (14): 373–384.
Media related to Macrocranion at Wikimedia Commons
| National | |
|---|---|
| Other | |
.png){kind=small} | This article about a eulipotyphlan is a stub. You can help Wikipedia by adding missing information. |
Content Disclaimer
Informasi ini disarikan dari Wikipedia dan disajikan kembali untuk tujuan edukasi. Konten tersedia di bawah lisensi CC BY-SA 3.0. Kami tidak bertanggung jawab atas ketidakakuratan data yang bersumber dari kontribusi publik tersebut.
- The information displayed on this website is sourced in part or in whole from Wikipedia and has been adapted for the purpose of restating it. We strive to provide accurate and relevant information, however:
- There is no guarantee of absolute accuracy. Wikipedia is an open, collaborative project that can be edited by anyone, so information is subject to change.
- It is not intended to constitute professional advice. The content displayed is for informational and educational purposes only. For important decisions (e.g., medical, legal, or financial), please consult a professional.
- Content copyright. Wikipedia is licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike License (CC BY-SA). This means that content may be reused with appropriate attribution and shared under a similar license.
- Responsible use. Any risk arising from the use of information from this website is entirely the responsibility of the user.