Microdocodon

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Microdocodon
Temporal range: Late Jurassic
Scientific classification Edit this classification
Domain: Eukaryota
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Clade: Synapsida
Clade: Therapsida
Clade: Cynodontia
Clade: Mammaliaformes
Order: Docodonta
Family:
Tegotheriidae
Genus: Microdocodon
Zhou et al., 2019
Species:
M. gracilis
Binomial name
Microdocodon gracilis
Zhou et al., 2019

Microdocodon is a genus of

Daohugou locality. It is unique for preserving the hyoid bone
, which is almost unknown in the early mammal fossil record.

Anatomy

The species is notable for providing insight into the evolution of the ability to chew and suckle in early relatives of mammals, by preserving a nearly intact

cynodonts. This supports previous conclusions that an important feature that marks crown mammals (Mammalia) from the mammaliaforms is the evolution of the middle ear, and the way in which it disconnected from its previous position in the mandible.[1]

Microdocodon is an especially small early mammal, thought to have been a shrew-like insectivore weighing about 9 grams. It was probably capable of climbing and living in trees. Microdocodon lived at the same time as semiaquatic Castorocauda, the subterranean mammaliaform Docofossor, and the arboreal Agilodocodon, all known from the Yanliao Biota.

See also

  • List of synapsids

References