Mesogaulus

Mesogaulus is a genus of extinct mammals that lived during the Late Cretaceous period, approximately 72 to 66 million years ago. It is one of the earliest known members of the order Multituberculata, a group of mammals that are closely related to modern-day rodents and primates. Mesogaulus is known from fossil remains found in North America and Europe.

The genus Mesogaulus is characterized by its small size, with adults typically measuring around 10-15 centimeters in length. It had a robust body, short limbs, and a long, narrow snout. The teeth of Mesogaulus were specialized for grinding plant material, indicating that it was likely a herbivore. The skull of Mesogaulus is distinctive, with a large, rounded braincase and a narrow, elongated rostrum.

Mesogaulus is significant in the study of mammalian evolution because it represents one of the earliest known multituberculates. The discovery of Mesogaulus fossils has provided valuable insights into the early diversification of mammals and the evolution of their dental and skeletal features. Despite its small size and relatively simple dentition, Mesogaulus is an important fossil that helps to fill in the gaps in our understanding of the evolutionary history of mammals.