Mitterahulisis

Mitterahulisis is a genus of small, extinct mammals that lived during the Late Cretaceous period, approximately 72 million years ago. The genus is known from a single species, Mitterahulisis cookei, which was discovered in the Hell Creek Formation of North Dakota, USA. The name Mitterahulisis is derived from the Greek words "mittera," meaning "to send," and "hulisis," meaning "to tear," reflecting the animal's unique dentition.

Mitterahulisis was a small, herbivorous mammal, with a body length estimated to be around 10-15 centimeters. It possessed a unique dental structure, with a pair of large, sharp teeth in the upper jaw and a pair of large, flat teeth in the lower jaw. These teeth are believed to have been used for processing tough plant material, such as leaves and stems.

The fossil record of Mitterahulisis is limited to a single skull and lower jaw, which were discovered in close proximity to each other. This suggests that the animal may have been a social species, with individuals living and feeding together in groups. The discovery of Mitterahulisis provides valuable insights into the early evolution of mammals and their adaptations to terrestrial environments.