Lutreolina fossil map
Where fossils of Lutreolina 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 | 11.63 million years ago to the present (Tortonian to Holocene) |
| Periods | Neogene, Quaternary |
| Family | Didelphidae |
| Named by | Thomas 1910 |
| Fossil records | 36 occurrences at 15 locations (PBDB) |
| Found in | Argentina, Brazil, Bolivia |
| Rock formations | txn:39945, Chapadmalal, Monte Hermoso, Tarija, Epecuén, Solimoes |
About Lutreolina
Lutreolina is a genus of opossum found in South America. Both extant species in this genus are known as lutrine opossums. They have an otter-like body plan and occasionally semiaquatic tendencies, hence the genus name Lutreolina, which is Latin for "otter-like".
Formerly, only one species, the big lutrine opossum (previously known as just the lutrine opossum) was recognized, but a 2014 study described a second species, Lutreolina massoia, on genetic and morphological grounds.
There are also two fossil species recognized, Lutreolina biforata (formerly placed in Hyperdidelphys) and Lutreolina materdei.
Text in “About” is quoted from the Wikipedia article Lutreolina (revision 1312680203), 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: Q16335775.
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