| Argyrolagus | |
|---|---|
| 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 | |
Argyrolagus is an extinct genus of South American metatherian, belonging to the order Polydolopimorpha from the Early Pliocene Monte Hermoso Formation, Patagonia, Argentina.
Description
Jumping on its hind legs, the 15–20-centimetre (5.9–7.9 in) long (without tail) 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. A 2019 study confirmed that Argyrolagus was probably adapted for bipedal jumping and was probably also well adapted for digging.
See also
References
- ^ 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.
