Teinolophos fossil map
Where fossils of Teinolophos have been found, shown on the Earth as it looked about 130 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 130 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 | 125.77–121.4 million years ago (Barremian) |
| Periods | Cretaceous |
| Family | Teinolophidae |
| Named by | Rich et al. 1999 |
| Fossil records | 2 occurrences at 1 locations (PBDB) |
| Found in | Australia |
| Rock formations | "Wonthaggi" |
About Teinolophos
Teinolophos, from Ancient Greek τείνω (teínō), meaning "extend", and λόφος (lóphos), meaning "crest", is a genus of teinolophid monotreme that lived during the late Barremian age of the Early Cretaceous. It is known from four specimens, each consisting of a partial lower jawbone collected from the Wonthaggi Formation at Flat Rocks, Victoria, Australia.
The generic name, Teinolophos, means "extended ridge", a reference to its tooth structure. The specific name honours the artist Peter Trusler.
Originally, Teinolophos was thought to be a eupantothere. Further research revealed similarities to Steropodon, except in size: the animal was around 10 cm long. It is often listed as a steropodontid, though it may be more basal. Teinolophos is deeply divergent within monotreme evolution, so in 2022 it was proposed to move it into its own family, Teinolophidae. Stirtodon may be a close relative of Steropodon within Teinolophidae.
Text in “About” is quoted from the Wikipedia article Teinolophos (revision 1318969355), 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: Q133024.
