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Macrocranion tupaiodon, an adapisoricid (?) Insectivore from the Eocene of ‘Grube Messel’ (Western Germany)

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Kurzfassung

Die anatomische Untersuchung mehrerer weitgehend vollständiger Skelette des eozänen InsektivorenMacrocranion tupaiodon aus Messel bei Darmstadt hat die Möglichkeit eröffnet, Rückschlüsse auf wichtige biologische Grundanpassungen dieses fossilen Säugetieres zu ziehen. Der Größe nach istMacrocranion mit kleineren Hörnchen oder Spitzhörnchen zu vergleichen, jedoch fallen die relativ langen Extremitäten auf. Insgesamt betrachtet läßt sichMacrocranion am besten charakterisieren als omnivorer, nocturner Bewohner des Waldbodens.

Abstract

The anatomical study of several complete skeletons of the Eocene insectivoreMacrocranion tupaiodon from the “Grube Messel” (Western Germany) allows to reconstruct a number of more relevant biological adaptations of this extinct mammal. Its size is to be compared with small squirrels or treeshrews; its limbs are significantly longer, however.Macrocranion is best characterized as an omnivorous, nocturnal forest-floor predator.

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  1. Zentrum der Morphologie (Dr. Senckenbergische Anatomie), Theodor-Stern-Kai 7, D-6000, Frankfurt/Main 70

    Wolfgang Maier

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Maier, W. Macrocranion tupaiodon, an adapisoricid (?) Insectivore from the Eocene of ‘Grube Messel’ (Western Germany). Paläontol. Z. 53, 38–62 (1979). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02987787

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