The oldest species of Didelphis (Mammalia, Marsupialia, Didelphidae), from the Late Miocene of Amazonia

COZZUOL MA; GOIN FJ; DE LOS REYES M; RANCY A

JOURNAL OF MAMMALOGY

American Society of Mammalogists

Lugar: Lawrence; Año: 2006 vol. 87 p. 663 - 667

0022-2372

The oldest known species of the genus Didelphis (Mammalia, Marsupialia, Didelphidae) is described here. The holotype and only known specimen comes from the Late Miocene deposits of the Solimões Formation outcropping at the locality of Patos, Acre river, Brazil. It is one of the very few marsupials described for this association and also one of the few carnivore. The new species differs from the other known species by it smaller size, low mandibular ramus, smaller molars relative to premolars and p3 with inflated crown. The last feature suggest more frugivorous habits than in other species of the genus.