Patagomaia
| Patagomaia Temporal range: Late Cretaceous,
| |
|---|---|
| |
| holotype remains of Patagomaia chainko | |
Scientific classification 
| |
| Domain: | Eukaryota |
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Chordata |
| Class: | Mammalia |
| Subclass: | Theria |
| Genus: | †Patagomaia |
| Species: | †P. chainko
|
| Binomial name | |
| †Patagomaia chainko Chimento et al., 2024
| |
Patagomaia is an extinct therian mammal from the Maastrichtian Chorrillo Formation of Argentina. It is the largest Mesozoic mammal yet known, with weight estimates of around 14 kilograms (31 lb).[1] The type species is P. chainko.
Description
Patagomaia chainko is known from the distal end of the left
Classification
Patagomaia chainko is tentatively described as a therian mammal. It does not match any early
South American native ungulates).[1]
Palaeoceology
Patagomaia chainko was found alongside the
dinosaurs.[1]
Implications
Alongside Malagasy gondwanatheres like Adalatherium and Vintana and South American mesungulatid meridiolestidans, Patagomaia chainko provides evidence that Late Cretaceous Gondwanan mammal faunas tended to achieve larger sizes than their northern counterparts.[1]
References
- ^ PMID 38310138.
- ^ "Larger-than-expected prehistoric mammal species uncovered in Patagonia". phys.org.