Lowellizus

Lowellizus is a genus of small, extinct mammals that lived during the late Eocene epoch, approximately 37 million years ago. The genus is named after the town of Lowell, Massachusetts, where the first fossils were discovered. Lowellizus is known from several well-preserved fossils found in the Green River Formation of Wyoming, USA.

The genus includes two known species: Lowellizus larsoni and Lowellizus mckennai. Lowellizus larsoni is the type species, named after the paleontologist who discovered the fossils, John R. Larson. Lowellizus mckennai is named after the paleontologist who described the genus, John A. McKenna.

Lowellizus was a small mammal, with a body length of about 10 centimeters (4 inches) and a weight of around 20 grams (0.7 ounces). It had a long, slender snout and small, sharp teeth, which suggests that it was an insectivore. The fossils of Lowellizus show that it had a unique combination of features, including a long, flexible tail and a reduced number of vertebrae in the neck and tail.

The discovery of Lowellizus has provided valuable insights into the evolution of mammals during the Eocene epoch. Its unique features suggest that it may have been an early ancestor of modern mammals, and its fossils have helped paleontologists to better understand the diversity of mammals that lived during this time.