• Source: Gurbanodelta

Gurbanodelta kara is an extinct genus of metatherian mammal. A deltatheroid, it represents the geologically youngest member of this clade, dating to the late Paleocene of China.




Description


Gurbanodelta kata is known from upper molars. They are the smallest sized among deltatheroideans, suggesting that it was a small, shrew-sized mammal.




Classification


Gurbanodelta kara nests deeply within Deltatheridiidae. Its closest relative is the largest known deltatheroidean, Nanocuris.




Size reduction


Deltatheroideans are relatively large carnivorous mammals. By contrast, Gurbanodelta kara is a small sized species. This indicates a size reduction that potentially allowed it to survive the KT event, likely switching to an insectivorous diet.




References

Kata Kunci Pencarian:

• Alphadon
• Gurbanodelta
• Deltatheroida
• Cretaceous–Paleogene extinction event
• Eodelphis
• Thylacosmilus
• Andinodelphys
• Lotheridium
• Alphadon
• Polydolopimorphia
• Sparassodonta