Argyrolagus Explained

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

Description

Jumping on its hind legs, the NaNadj=onNaNadj=on 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

• Chulpasia

Notes and References

1. http://www.fossilworks.org/cgi-bin/bridge.pl?a=taxonInfo&taxon_no=318341 Argyrolagus
2. Book: 新版 絶滅哺乳類図鑑. Yukimitsu Tomida. 30 January 2011.
3. Book: Palmer, D.. 1999 . The Marshall Illustrated Encyclopedia of Dinosaurs and Prehistoric Animals. Marshall Editions. London. 203. 1-84028-152-9.
4. Abello . María Alejandra . Candela . Adriana Magdalena . Paleobiology of Argyrolagus (Marsupialia, Argyrolagidae): an astonishing case of bipedalism among South American mammals . Journal of Mammalian Evolution . 2020 . 27 . 3 . 419–444 . 10.1007/s10914-019-09470-z. 254693227 .