Pesusitomis

Pesusitomis is a genus of extinct toothed birds that lived during the Late Cretaceous period. Fossil evidence suggests these birds were part of the Enantiornithes, a group of birds that were widespread and diverse before the K-Pg extinction event. The name "Pesusitomis" is derived from Latin and Greek roots, roughly translating to "feathered mole," alluding to some perceived characteristics of its skeletal structure or potentially its inferred lifestyle.

The known fossils of Pesusitomis are primarily fragmentary, making detailed reconstructions of its appearance and behavior challenging. However, analyses of the available remains indicate it possessed teeth in its jaws, a common trait among early birds, which were lost in most modern bird lineages. Its wing structure suggests it was capable of flight, though the exact degree of aerial agility is not fully understood. The diet of Pesusitomis likely consisted of insects or other small invertebrates, based on interpretations of its dentition and beak shape.

Pesusitomis fossils have been discovered in deposits dating to approximately 70 to 75 million years ago. The specific geological formations where these fossils are found provide context for the ecosystem in which Pesusitomis lived, often indicating environments that were temperate or subtropical with abundant plant and animal life. The discovery of Pesusitomis contributes to our understanding of avian evolution during the Mesozoic Era and the diversity of bird forms that existed prior to the major extinction event that wiped out the non-avian dinosaurs.