Sialomorpha

Sialomorpha dominicana, also known as the mold pig, is a genus of incertae cedis panarthropodan 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]

Sialomorpha
Temporal range: Tertiary 45–15 Ma
Artist's restoration
Scientific classification
Kingdom: Animalia
(unranked): Panarthropoda
(unranked): incertae sedis
Family: †Sialomorphidae
Poinar & Nelson, 2019
Genus: †Sialomorpha
Poinar & Nelson, 2019
Species:
†S. dominicana
Binomial name
†Sialomorpha dominicana
Poinar & Nelson, 2019

References
  1. Poinar, George; Nelson, Diane R. (September 28, 2019). "A new microinvertebrate with features of mites and tardigrades in Dominican amber". Invertebrate Biology. 138 (4). doi:10.1111/ivb.12265. ISSN 1077-8306.
  2. Dvorsky, George (October 9, 2019). "You've Heard Of Water Bears, But How About These Ancient Mould Pigs?". Gizmodo. Retrieved October 9, 2019.
  3. Irving, Michael (October 8, 2019). "Newly discovered "mold pigs" don't fit into any known animal group". New Atlas. Retrieved October 9, 2019.
  4. News Staff (October 9, 2019). "Mold Pigs: Strange Creatures with Features of Mites and Tardigrades Found in Amber". Sci News. Retrieved October 9, 2019.
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