matavimus

Matavimus is a genus of small, extinct mammals that lived during the Late Cretaceous period, approximately 70 million years ago. The genus is known from a single species, Matavimus mirabilis, which was discovered in the Hell Creek Formation of North Dakota, USA. Matavimus is notable for its unique combination of features, including a small body size, a long, slender snout, and a set of teeth that are adapted for a diet of small, hard-shelled prey.

The fossil remains of Matavimus consist of a nearly complete skull and lower jaw, as well as some postcranial elements. The skull is relatively small, with a length of about 3.5 centimeters, and is characterized by a long, narrow rostrum that tapers to a point. The teeth are small and conical, with a single root and a crown that is adapted for crushing hard-shelled prey. The postcranial skeleton is poorly preserved, but it is thought to have been similar to that of other small mammals of the time.

Matavimus is classified within the order Multituberculata, a group of mammals that are characterized by their complex dentition and the presence of multiple, separate tooth roots. The genus is placed within the family Taeniolabididae, a group of multituberculates that are known from the Late Cretaceous and early Paleogene periods. The exact relationships of Matavimus within the Taeniolabididae are uncertain, but it is thought to be closely related to other small, insectivorous multituberculates.

Matavimus is an important fossil because it provides insight into the diversity and evolution of mammals during the Late Cretaceous. The genus represents a unique adaptation within the multituberculates, with a diet that is specialized for crushing hard-shelled prey. This adaptation is thought to have evolved in response to the availability of such prey in the Late Cretaceous ecosystems. The discovery of Matavimus also highlights the importance of small mammals in the Late Cretaceous ecosystems, which were dominated by large dinosaurs.