Argyrolagus
{{Short description|Extinct genus of marsupials}}
{{Automatic Taxobox
| fossil_range = Early Pliocene (Montehermosan-Chapadmalalan)
~{{fossil range|5.3|3.6}}
| image = Argyrolagus NT.jpg
| image_caption =Argyrolagus palmeri
| taxon = Argyrolagus
| authority = Ameghino 1904
| display_parents = 2
| type_species = †Argyrolagus palmeri
}}
Argyrolagus is an extinct genus of South American metatherian, belonging to the order Polydolopimorpha from the Early Pliocene Monte Hermoso Formation, Patagonia, Argentina.[https://paleobiodb.org/classic/checkTaxonInfo?taxon_no=318341 Argyrolagus] at Fossilworks.org
Description
Jumping on its hind legs, the {{convert|15-20|cm|in|adj=on|abbr=}} long (without tail){{Cite book|title=新版 絶滅哺乳類図鑑|publisher=Yukimitsu Tomida|date=30 January 2011}} Argyrolagus resembled a gerbil or kultarr. It had a long tail for balance, and a narrow head with a pointed snout. Judging from its huge eyes, Argyrolagus was nocturnal. The form of its teeth suggest that it would have fed on desert plants.{{cite book |editor=Palmer, D.|year=1999 |title= The Marshall Illustrated Encyclopedia of Dinosaurs and Prehistoric Animals|publisher= Marshall Editions|location=London|page= 203|isbn= 1-84028-152-9}} A 2019 study confirmed that Argyrolagus was probably adapted for bipedal jumping and was probably also well adapted for digging.{{cite journal |last1=Abello |first1=María Alejandra |last2=Candela |first2=Adriana Magdalena |title=Paleobiology of Argyrolagus (Marsupialia, Argyrolagidae): an astonishing case of bipedalism among South American mammals |journal=Journal of Mammalian Evolution |date=2020 |volume=27 |issue=3 |pages=419–444 |doi=10.1007/s10914-019-09470-z|s2cid=254693227 |url=http://sedici.unlp.edu.ar/handle/10915/139716 }}
See also
{{Portal|Argentina|Paleontology|Prehistoric mammals}}
References
{{Reflist}}
{{Metatheria|P.}}
{{Taxonbar|from=Q2745114}}
Category:Prehistoric marsupial genera
Category:Pliocene mammals of South America
Category:Fossil taxa described in 1904
Category:Taxa named by Florentino Ameghino
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