Argyrolagus

<i>Argyrolagus</i>

Argyrolagus

Extinct genus of marsupials

Argyrolagus is an extinct genus of South American metatherian, belonging to the order Polydolopimorpha from the Early Pliocene Monte Hermoso Formation, Patagonia, Argentina.[1]

Quick Facts Scientific classification, Type species ...

Description

Jumping 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

References

  1. [1]
    Argyrolagus at Fossilworks.org
  2. [2]
    新版 絶滅哺乳類図鑑. Yukimitsu Tomida. 30 January 2011.
  3. [3]
    Palmer, D., ed. (1999). The Marshall Illustrated Encyclopedia of Dinosaurs and Prehistoric Animals. London: Marshall Editions. p. 203. ISBN 1-84028-152-9.
  4. [4]
    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.


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