Sialomorpha
Extinct genus of enigmatic invertebrates
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Sialomorpha dominicana, also known as the mold pig, is a panarthropod genus of uncertain affinities discovered in 30-million year old Dominican amber by George Poinar at Oregon State University and Diane R. Nelson at East Tennessee University.[1][2] It was placed in a new genus and family (Sialomorphidae) unto itself, and appears to represent a new phylum. S. dominicana shares some resemblance to tardigrades and mites.[3] It is about 100 μm long and grew by molting its exoskeleton.[4] It was probably an omnivore, feeding on minute invertebrates and fungi, including mold.[1]
Clade:Panarthropoda
(unranked):incertae sedis
Family:†Sialomorphidae
Poinar & Nelson, 2019
Poinar & Nelson, 2019
Genus:†Sialomorpha
Poinar & Nelson, 2019
Poinar & Nelson, 2019
| Sialomorpha | |
|---|---|
| |
| Artist's restoration | |
Scientific classification  | |
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Clade: | Panarthropoda |
| (unranked): | incertae sedis |
| Family: | †Sialomorphidae Poinar & Nelson, 2019 |
| Genus: | †Sialomorpha Poinar & Nelson, 2019 |
| Species: | †S. dominicana |
| Binomial name | |
| †Sialomorpha dominicana Poinar & Nelson, 2019 | |