Adalatherium
Extinct genus of mammals
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Adalatherium (Adàla, 'crazy' in Malagasy and therium, 'beast' in Greek) is an extinct gondwanatherian that lived in Madagascar during the Maastrichtian stage of the Late Cretaceous. The discovery of the first nearly-complete skeleton from the Maevarano Formation was announced in April 2020.[1]
| Adalatherium Temporal range: Late Cretaceous (Maastrichtian) | |
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| Restoration of the skull in lateral view | |
Scientific classification  | |
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Chordata |
| Class: | Mammalia |
| Clade: | †Gondwanatheria |
| Family: | †Adalatheriidae Krause et al, 2020 |
| Genus: | †Adalatherium Krause et al, 2020 |
| Species: | †A. hui |
| Binomial name | |
| †Adalatherium hui Krause et al, 2020 | |
Description
Although the only known fossil is believed to be from a subadult individual, it had a large skull reaching 8.4 centimetres (3.3 in) long. Its body length was about 52 centimetres (20 in)[2] and the body mass is estimated between 1.775–5.218 kilograms (3.91–11.50 lb), making it one the largest known Mesozoic mammals.[1] It is depicted in reconstructions as being built somewhat like a badger. Its skeleton is the most complete of any Gondwanan Mesozoic mammal. Additionally, the front of the skull contains more foramina than any known mammal except Vincelestes.[3]
Ecology
Potential predators of Adalatherium included Majungasaurus, Masiakasaurus, Miadanasuchus, Mahajangasuchus, and Madtsoia madagascariensis.[4] In turn, it may have eaten roots or other plant material.
