| Teratopithecus | |
|---|---|
Scientific classification | |
| Domain: | Eukaryota |
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Chordata |
| Class: | Mammalia |
| Order: | †Notoungulata |
| Family: | †Archaeopithecidae |
| Genus: | †Teratopithecus López et al., 2020 |
| Species: | †T. elpidophoros |
| Binomial name | |
| †Teratopithecus elpidophoros López et al., 2020 | |
Teratopithecus is anextinctgenus ofarchaeopithecidnotoungulate that lived during the MiddleEocene of what is nowArgentina. Fossils of this genus have been found in theSarmiento Formation of Argentina.
This animal was similar to a medium-sizedrodent, with a rather massive, short and compact skull. It shared several similarities with its better known relativeArchaeopithecus, such as nearly high-crowned (hypsodont) premolars and molars, contrary to most of the other Early Eocene notoungulates. A characteristic anatomical feature ofTeratopithecus is the existence of a stylar cusp in labial position compared to the molar ectoloph, a unique condition within Notounugulata. This most likely indicates a particular specialization in nutrition.[1]
Teratopithecus elpidophoros, the only known species from the genus, was first described in 2020, based on fossil remains discovered near the localitiesPaso del Sapo,Las Violetas andCañadón Vaca in centralPatagonia.
Teratopithecus was an archaic member of the suborderTypotheria, a clade of notoungulates similar to modernhyraxes orrodents.Teratopithecus was related toArchaeopithecus, a slightly younger genus, both being the only known members of the familyArchaeopithecidae, characterized by theirhigh-crowned molars.[1]
