Planetetherium

Planetetherium is an extinct genus of herbivorous gliding mammal (like Colugo) endemic to North America during the Paleogene living from 56.8—55.4 mya, existing for approximately 1.4 million years.[1]

Planetetherium
Temporal range: Latest Paleocene
Fossil
Scientific classification
Kingdom:
Animalia
Phylum:
Chordata
Class:
Mammalia
Order:
Dermoptera
Family:
†Plagiomenidae
Genus:
†Planetetherium

Simpson, 1928
Species:
†P. mirabile
Binomial name
†Planetetherium mirabile
Simpson, 1928

Fossils have been discovered in strata formed from ancient cypress forests, suggesting that this was the animal's preferred habitat.

Morphology

Plantetherium measured around 25 centimetres (10 in) in length, and its skeleton closely resembled that of its modern relatives. Its teeth already included the comb-like structure distinctive to modern colugos. There is no direct evidence that Planetetherium had the membrane of skin that allows modern colugos to glide, but its bodily proportions suggests that this was likely the case.[2]

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gollark: That's not really all that much.
gollark: "will" should go London School of Economics himself.
gollark: ?unban 550187576049270798
gollark: ?haxx0rban

References
  1. PaleoBiology Database: Planetetherium, basic info
  2. Palmer, D., ed. (1999). The Marshall Illustrated Encyclopedia of Dinosaurs and Prehistoric Animals. London: Marshall Editions. p. 210. ISBN 1-84028-152-9.


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