Zofiabaatar

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Zofiabaataridae
Fossil range: Late Jurassic
Scientific classification
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Class: Mammalia
Order: Multituberculata
Family: Zofiabaataridae
Genus: Zofiabaatar
Species: Z. pulcher
Binomial name
Zofiabaatar pulcher
Bakker and Carpenter, 1990

Zofiabaatar is a genus of extinct mammal from the Upper Jurassic period. It was a relatively early member of the extinct order Multituberculata within the suborder "Plagiaulacida". It lived in North America along with dinosaurs such as Diplodocus and Allosaurus.

The primary species is named Zofiabaatar pulcher. Fossils have been found in the Upper Jurassic Morrison Formation of Wyoming (U.S.). The animal was reportedly about 30 cm long. It seems to have been a rather specialized creature, judging by the dentary, which is all that's known. Zofiabaataridae are believed to belong to the allodontid line.

[edit] References

  • Simpson. "Mesozoic Mammalia. VII. Taxonomy of Morrison multituberculates", American Journal of Science. 1927. Pages 36-38.
  • Kielan-Jaworowska, Z. and J.H. Hurum. "Phylogeny and Systematics of multituberculate mammals", Paleontology. 44. Pages 389-429.