Obdurodon

Obdurodon is a genus of extinct short-beaked echidna that lived during the Pliocene and Pleistocene epochs in what is now Australia. The name Obdurodon is derived from Latin, where "obdurare" means "to become hard" or "to become stiff", and was chosen due to the robust beak of the animal.

The discovery of Obdurodon dates back to 1907 when a jawbone was found in Port Ewen, New South Wales, Australia. Since then, several other fossils, including teeth, jawbones, and an entire well-preserved skeleton have been discovered in various parts of the country. Analysis of these fossils suggests that Obdurodon was a relatively large animal, with adults reaching lengths of up to 1.5 meters (4.9 feet).

Obdurodon is considered to be one of the most well-represented genera of fossil echidnas, and its fossils have provided valuable insights into the evolution and diversity of this group of mammals. Analysis of the beak structure and dental morphology of Obdurodon has shown that it was herbivorous, and the presence of a robust beak suggests that it was adapted for breaking and eating tough plant material.

Several species of Obdurodon have been described, including O. thylacoleorhynchus and O. nimbus. O. thylacoleorhynchus, which lived during the Pleistocene epoch, is thought to have been one of the largest known species of Obdurodon. In contrast, O. nimbus, which lived during the Pliocene epoch, is thought to have been smaller and more slender-limbed than its contemporaries.