Deltatheridium Explained

Deltatheridium (meaning triangle beast or delta beast) is an extinct species of metatherian. It lived in what is now Mongolia during the Upper Cretaceous, circa 80 million years ago.^[1] A study in 2022 strongly suggested that Deltatherium was a marsupial, making it the earliest known member of this group.^[2]

It had a length of about 15cm (06inches). Its teeth indicate it was carnivorous. One specimen of Archaeornithoides might attest an attack by this mammal, the skull bearing tooth marks that match its teeth.^[3]

Other Mesozoic mammals from Mongolia

• Kamptobaatar
• Zalambdalestes

Further reading

• Parker, Steve. Dinosaurus: the complete guide to dinosaurs. Firefly Books Inc, 2003. Pg. 403
• Rougier . G. W. . Wible, J. R. . Novacek, M. J. . 1998 . Implications of Deltatheridium specimens for early marsupial history . . 396 . 6710 . 459–63 . 10.1038/24856 . 9853752 . 1998Natur.396..459R . 204996216 .

Notes and References

1. Web site: Discovery Of New Fossils In Gobi Desert Of Mongolia Provides Important Insight Into Early Mammal Evolution. Sciencedaily.com. 30 November 2021.
2. Velazco . Paúl M . Buczek . Alexandra J . Hoffman . Eva . Hoffman . Devin K . O’Leary . Maureen A . Novacek . Michael J . 30 January 2022 . Combined data analysis of fossil and living mammals: a Paleogene sister taxon of Placentalia and the antiquity of Marsupialia . . 38 . 3 . 359–373 . 10.1111/cla.12499 . 35098586 .
3. Elżanowski, A. Wellnhoffer, P. (1993). "Skull of Archaeornithoides From the Upper Cretaceous of Mongolia". earth.geology.yale.edu/~ajs/1993/11.1993.08Elzanowski.pdf . American Journal of Science