Lotheridium fossil map
Where fossils of Lotheridium have been found, shown on the Earth as it looked about 66 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 66 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 | 72.2–66 million years ago (Maastrichtian) |
| Periods | Cretaceous |
| Family | Deltatheridiidae |
| Named by | Bi et al. 2015 |
| Fossil records | 2 occurrences at 1 locations (PBDB) |
| Found in | China |
| Rock formations | Qiupa |
About Lotheridium
Lotheridium is an extinct genus of deltatheroidan mammals that lived in what is now Asia during the Late Cretaceous, about 72–66 million years ago. The genus contains a single species, Lotheridium mengi, named in 2015 after paleontologist Jin Meng. It is known from a single fossil specimen—a skull with associated lower jaws—found in the Qiupa Formation of Henan Province, China and housed in the collections of the Zhejiang Museum of Natural History. The skull measures 67.3 mm (2.65 in) in length, suggesting Lotheridium was large compared to most other deltatheroidans. Though the preserved skull is almost complete, it has been flattened and the skull roof was crushed during fossilization.
Lotheridium is believed to be a carnivore. It had a short snout and 46 teeth, among which the upper canines are the largest and most elongated. Though its lower canines are far smaller than the upper pair, they are still large enough that there are small gaps in the upper jaw to hold them when the mouth is closed. Its molars are adapted for shearing flesh. They bear unique cusps which can be used to differentiate it from its relatives. As with all deltatheroidans, its closest living relatives are the marsupials.
Text in “About” is quoted from the Wikipedia article Lotheridium (revision 1379693464), 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: Q105672037.
