Obdurodon dicksoni is known from a well preserved skull (with premolar teeth in place), two lower jaw fragments and numerous isolated teeth. Even more exciting was the discovery of the teeth of a 61-million-year-old South American relative in 1992. Obdurodon dicksoni is an extinct species of ornithorhynchid monotreme discovered in Australia. The shape of its beak suggests that O. dicksoni sought prey by digging in the sides of rivers, whereas the modern platypus digs in the bottom of the river. 2001, 2002). Come and explore what our researchers, curators and education programs have to offer! Riversleigh fauna is the collective term for any species of animal identified in fossil sites located in the Riversleigh World Heritage Area Faunal zones. The genus named was derived from Latin to describe the obdurate, that is persistent, molar which is lost in the modern platypus. [1], O. insignis is thought to have had a similar build to the modern platypus. The finding provides new clues about the lineage of the modern platypus… The wear patterns on the tooth are suggestive of crushing, perhaps by consuming hard-shelled animals such as turtles, rather than using a shearing action. [1], The name derives from Latin obduros and don, "enduring tooth", a reference to the permanency of the molars. The specific name was chosen in honour of an indigenous Australian creation story for the platypus, where a duck named Tharalkoo gives birth to a chimeric creature after being ravished by a rakali. Check out the What's On calendar of events, workshops and school holiday programs. Adding to the animal’s distinctive appearance are conspicuous white patches of fur under the eyes. De Engelse naam voor vogelbekdier; Platypus (bedrijf), een fabrikant van waterrugzakken en waterzakken Platypus (band) Platypus (computerspel), een computerspel Platypus (geslacht), een geslacht van kernhoutkevers Platypus (tractormerk), een Brits tractormerk Description of the skull and non-vestigial dentition of a Miocene platypus (, Lake Ngapakaldi to Lake Palankarinna Fossil Area, "Fossil of giant platypus unearthed in Riversleigh", "New information about the skull and dentary of the Miocene platypus Obdurodon dicksoni, and a discussion of ornithorhynchid relationships", "Giant Platypus Found, Shakes Up Evolutionary Tree", "Extinct 'Godzilla' platypus found in Australia - Yahoo News UK", "Giant extinct toothed platypus discovered", "Tharalkoo's child: an ugly duckling story. Averagely, modern platypus’ are around 38cm fully grown. New information about the skull and dentary of the Miocene platypus. A larger species, Obdurodon dicksoni, was found in 19 to 15 million year old deposits at Riversleigh, and the remains include the only known fossil platypus skull. In this section, find out everything you need to know about visiting the Australian Museum, how to get here and the extraordinary exhibitions on display. 2 (10): e1601329. 5. [12] The ornithorhynchid species were unknown in the later fossil record at the time of discovery, and it defied the assumptions of a single lineage of a platypus-like animal that progressively lost its teeth and became smaller in size. The platypus (Ornithorhynchus anatinus) is one of five extant species of egg-laying mammals in the subclass Monotremata and the only living species within the family Ornithorhynchidae ().As one of the world’s most evolutionarily distinct mammals, the platypus has long been regarded to be of exceptional scientific importance as well as a globally unique component of Australia’s biodiversity. Hand, P. Murray, and H. Godthelp, describing a skull and several teeth found in lower-middle Miocene deposits from the Australian Fossil Mammal Sites. Placental mammals are represented by more than 35 bat species, and the Riversleigh fossil bat record is considered one of the richest in the world. The Riversleigh Platypus 1. O. dicksoni's beak has an oval hole surrounded by bones in the center, whereas the platypus' beak has a V-shape and no longer surrounded by bones. This species is characterized by a skull and several scattered teeth. Obdurodon dicksoni is known only from the Riversleigh World Heritage Fossil Site in northwestern Queensland. It is certain that the toothless living platypus, Ornithorhynchus, is descended from a Cainozoic platypus (one of the Obdurodon species) with functional teeth. 159 relations. The Platypus® modular line of BPA-free and taste-free hydration products includes both handheld and hands-free options like hydration systems, hydration packs, water bottles, water treatment systems, wine preservation, and all the essential accessories for camping, backpacking, travel, work and sports. The Budgerigar is now the best-known Australian bird, having spread all over the world thanks to its popularity as a caged bird. Description of the skull and non-vestigial dentition of a Miocene platypus (Obdurodon dicksoni n.sp) from Riversleigh ... Enamel of Yalkaparidon coheni: representative of a distinctive Order of … List of ... P., and Godthelp, H., 1992. Thank you for reading. However, like O. dicksoni but unlike the modern platypus, it had more permanent dentition. Author. M. Archer, F. A. Jenkins, S. J. The skull of Obdurodon dicksoni is unusually flat, almost like that of a crocodile, and it is possible that this large platypus spent more time feeding on the surface (perhaps snapping at insects on the water's surface) and less time feeding on bottom-dwelling invertebrates, as the living platypus does. They appeared much like their modern day relative the platypus, except adults retained their molar teeth. Description of the skull and non-vestigial dentition of a Miocene platypus (, Archer, M., Murray, P., Hand, S. & Godthelp, H., 1993a. Riversleigh fossils, any of numerous assemblages of fossils found at Riversleigh Station, in northwestern Queensland, Australia, which together constitute the richest and most diverse collection of fossils ever found on that continent. [12], The living animal is assumed to be very similar in form to a modern platypus, but larger, exceeding Monotrematum in size and length. The species was published in 1992 by Michael Archer, F. A. Jenkins, S. J. Its skull is one of the most perfect fossils known from Riversleigh. Receive the latest news on events, exhibitions, science research and special offers. The M1 had six roots, the M2 had five, and the M3 only one. This website may contain names, images and voices of deceased Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples. Obdurodon probably fed on insect larvae, yabbies and other crustaceans, and perhaps small vertebrate animals such as frogs and fish. Physically, it would have looked much like a modern platypus, although significant differences are few . Description of the skull and non-vestigial primitive zygomaturine (Marsupialia, dentition of a Miocene platypus (Obdurodon Diprotodontidae) from Riversleigh, northwestern dicksoni n. Alternatively, they may be descended from an as-yet unknown group of early mammals or near-mammals. & Tedford, R.H. 1975. from Riversleigh, Australia, and the Queensland. Based on the discovery of a single tooth, researchers say they have identified an ancient species of giant platypus. Obdurodon is represented by three species: Obdurodon insignis is an extinct species of ornithorhynchid monotreme discovered in the Tirari Desert in central Australia. On average they were around 60-75 C.M. [4], An illustration of the species by Jeanette Muirhead, depicted on a rock in a stream within a rainforest, was published by the magazine Natural History (AMNH) in 1994. The animal is known from Riversleigh fossils and is thought to have existed in the early to mid Miocene era, inhabiting pools and streams of freshwater in a rainforest environment. Obdurodon probably fed on insect larvae, yabbies and other crustaceans, and perhaps small vertebrate animals such as frogs and fish. ", This page was last edited on 15 November 2020, at 11:42. [5] The second specimen discovered there, AMNH 97228, is an upper right molar. 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