Storchodon is an extinct genus of morganucodont mammaliaforms from the Late Jurassic (Kimmeridgian) of Germany. Its only species is Storchodon cingulatus, which is known exclusively from a single upper molar found at the Süntel Formation of Lower Saxony.[1]

Storchodon
Temporal range: Kimmeridgian
Scientific classification Edit this classification
Domain: Eukaryota
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Clade: Synapsida
Clade: Therapsida
Clade: Cynodontia
Clade: Mammaliaformes
Order: Morganucodonta
Genus: Storchodon
Martin et al., 2019
Species:
S. cingulatus
Binomial name
Storchodon cingulatus
Martin et al., 2019

Etymology

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The generic name Storchodon honours the German palaeontologist Gerhard Storch, whereas the specific epithet cingulatus is a reference to the prominent cingulum of the molar.[1]

Description

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Storchodon was large for a morganucodont; the holotype molar has a length of 3.07 millimetres (0.121 in), which among morganucodonts is exceeded only by the holotype of Paceyodon davidi. This large size may be a case of insular gigantism.[1] As in other morganucodonts, the molar has a triconodont shape, with the three main cusps A, B and C being set in a straight line. Cusp D is relatively large, and unlike in for example Morganucodon, it is placed at an oblique angle relative to the main cusps.[1]

References

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  1. ^ a b c d Martin, T.; Averianov, A. O.; Jäger, K. R. K.; Schwermann, A. H.; Wings, O. (2019). "A large morganucodontan mammaliaform from the Late Jurassic of Germany" (PDF). Fossil Imprint. 75 (3–4): 504–509. doi:10.2478/if-2019-0030.