Leptictidium

Leptictidium (Latin: graceful weasels) was a genus of small prehistoric jumping mammals. They were in existence during the Cretaceous period and they survived the Cretaceous-Tertiary extinction event well into the Eocene. They were widespread across Europe and North America, but they died out around 40 million years ago, leaving no descendants.

Leptictidium had small front legs and large back legs, like miniature kangaroos. Studies of the skeletal structure indicate that they may have moved by hopping. Meanwhile, studies of their skulls have shown that they probably had long, mobile noses rather like those on the elephant shrew. They ranged in size from 60-90cm from nose to tail.

Perfectly preserved fossils of Leptictidium have been found in the Messel shales in Germany. The outline of their fur has been preserved, and even the contents of their stomachs, which show that they were carnivorous, dining on insects, lizards and other small mammals.

Species:

• Leptictidium auderiense. According to C.Mathis ("Quelques insectivores primitifs nouveaux de l'Eocène supérieur du sud de la France", Bull. Mus. natn. Hist. nat. Paris, 4e sér., 11, 1989, section C, n°1, p. 33-64) leptictidium auderiense does not belong to this genus.
• Leptictidium nasutum
• Leptictidium tobieni
• Leptictidium sigei
• Leptictidium ginsburgi
• Leptictidium aff. sigei

External references

BBC Online Science and Natureca:Leptictidi fr:Leptictidium it:Leptictidium nl:Leptictidium ru:Leptictidium

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