Ektopodon fossil map
Where fossils of Ektopodon have been found, shown on the Earth as it looked about 5 million years ago and on today’s map.
Dots are fossil collections recorded in the Paleobiology Database. The “then” view moves today’s fossil sites back to their positions 5 million years ago (the time slice nearest the median age of the fossils) using the Merdith et al. (2021) plate model; positions are approximate. Open on the timeline map →
| Group | Early mammals |
|---|---|
| Lived | 27.3–3.6 million years ago (Chattian to Zanclean) |
| Periods | Paleogene, Neogene |
| Family | Ektopodontidae |
| Named by | Stirton et al. 1967 |
| Fossil records | 10 occurrences at 3 locations (PBDB) |
| Found in | Australia |
| Rock formations | txn:40126, Etadunna, Namba |
About Ektopodon
Ektopodon
is an extinct genus of marsupial, and is the type genus of the family Ektopodontidae which occurred in forested environments in South Australia, Queensland and Victoria. The last species of this group went extinct in the early Pleistocene (between 2.588 million years ago and 781,000 years ago). Its body mass was estimated around 1300 grams. Scientists believe that ektopodontids were highly specialised seed-eating possums. [1]
The type species Ektopodon serratus describes material excavated at the Lake Ngapakaldi fossil site in South Australia.
Text in “About” is quoted from the Wikipedia article Ektopodon (revision 1354842762), licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0; introduction excerpted verbatim, formatting removed. Ages, family, authority and fossil records: Paleobiology Database, accessed 23 October 2026. Ages are those of the rock layers the fossils were found in. Wikidata: Q5350613.
