In this article, we invite you to enter the exciting world of Maastrichtidelphys. Along these lines, we will explore various aspects related to Maastrichtidelphys, from its origin to its influence on current society. We will delve into its implications, its relevance today and its potential impact in the future. Likewise, we will analyze different perspectives and opinions from experts in the field, with the aim of providing you with a broad and enriching vision about Maastrichtidelphys. Get ready to discover everything you need to know about Maastrichtidelphys in this article!
Maastrichtidelphys Temporal range:
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Tooth and reconstruction of Maastrichtidelphys in the Natuurhistorisch Museum Maastricht | |
Scientific classification ![]() | |
Domain: | Eukaryota |
Kingdom: | Animalia |
Phylum: | Chordata |
Class: | Mammalia |
Family: | †Herpetotheriidae |
Genus: | †Maastrichtidelphys (Martin et al., 2005)[1] |
Species: | †M. meurismeti
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Binomial name | |
†Maastrichtidelphys meurismeti (Martin et al., 2005)[1]
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Maastrichtidelphys is a Late Cretaceous genus of metatherian (marsupial lineage) mammal from the Netherlands in Europe.[1] The genus contains a single species, M. meurismeti. It is known from an extremely small right upper molar, and analysis of it suggests that Maastrichtidelphys is most closely related to the North American herpetotheriid marsupial, Nortedelphys, which is Lancian in age.
Maastrichtidelphys belongs to a group of mammals with their origins in North America, the Herpetotheriidae. The presence of Maastrichtidelphys in Europe in the Late Cretaceous shows there was a high-latitude North Atlantic dispersal route between North America and Europe for marsupials, which suggests they spread across Europe at least 10 million years earlier than previously thought.[1]