Anatoliadelphys
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A. Murat Maga; Robin M. D. Beck, 2017
| Anatoliadelphys Temporal range: | |
|---|---|
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| Holotype skeleton, scale bar = 5 cm | |
Scientific classification  | |
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Chordata |
| Class: | Mammalia |
| Family: | †Anatoliadelphyidae |
| Genus: | †Anatoliadelphys A. Murat Maga; Robin M. D. Beck, 2017 |
| Species: | †A. maasae |
| Binomial name | |
| †Anatoliadelphys maasae A. Murat Maga; Robin M. D. Beck, 2017 | |
Anatoliadelphys maasae is an extinct genus of predatory metatherian mammal from the Eocene of Anatolia. It was an arboreal, cat-sized animal, with powerful crushing jaws similar to those of the modern Tasmanian devil. Although most mammalian predators of the northern hemisphere in this time period were placentals, Europe was an archipelago, and the island landmass now forming Turkey might have been devoid of competing mammalian predators,[1] though this may not matter since other carnivorous metatherians are also known from the Cenozoic in the Northern Hemisphere.[2] Nonetheless, it stands as a reminder that mammalian faunas in the Paleogene of the Northern Hemisphere were more complex than previously thought, and metatherians did not immediately lose their hold as major predators after their success in the Cretaceous.[1]
The description of the new species and its genus, Anatoliadelphys, was published in 2017. The genus name combines terms derived from Greek, Anatolia for a region of Turkey and delphys, meaning uterus, a commonly suffix for marsupial taxa. The specific epithet honours the work of palaeontologist Mary Maas.[1]
Description
Holotype AÜJM 2002–25 was found in the Uzunçarşıdere Formation, Turkey. It is composed of a three-dimensionally preserved partial skull and near complete postcranial skeleton, one of the most well-preserved northern hemisphere metatherian specimens. The animal is approximately as large as a modern domestic cat at 2.76-3.97 kg; calculations were particularly difficult because its teeth are proportionally larger than those of modern carnivorous marsupials. The jaws are relatively short and robust and possess massive crushing, heavily worn premolars and molars and long, robust canines (no known incisors); while the skull is too incomplete to calculate the precise bite-force, it was most likely specialised for crushing and therefore it must have had a powerful bite.
The post-cranial skeleton seems to indicate an arboreal or semi-arboreal lifestyle, bearing grasping digits and a prehensile tail.
