Chriacus

Cry-ak-us.
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Benjamin Gutierrez

Vertebrate Paleontologist

Benjamin Gutierrez is a leading expert on dinosaurs, particularly the mighty theropods. His fieldwork in South America has uncovered new species and provided insights into dinosaur social structures.

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Name

Chriacus ‭(‬Useful‭)‬.

Phonetic

Cry-ak-us.

Named By

Edward Drinker Cope‭ ‬-‭ ‬1883.

Classification

Chordata,‭ ‬Mammalia,‭ ‬Condylarthra,‭ ‬Arctocyonidae.‭

Diet

Probably an omnivore.

Species

C.‭ ‬pelvidens‭ (‬type‭)‬,‭ ‬C.‭ ‬badgleyi,‭ ‬C.‭ ‬baldwini,‭ ‬C.‭ ‬calenancus,‭ ‬C.‭ ‬gallinae,‭ ‬C.‭ ‬katrinae,‭ ‬C.‭ ‬metocometi,‭ ‬C.‭ ‬oconostotae,‭ ‬C.‭ ‬pelvidens,‭ ‬C.‭ ‬punitor

Size

About‭ ‬1‭ ‬meter long.

Known locations

Canada,‭ ‬USA.

Time Period

Danian of the Paleocene.

Fossil representation

Around a hundred specimens,‭ ‬possibly more.

In Depth

       Chriacus has a curious mix of features since it was a plantigrade quadruped that had hind legs suitable to climbing and fore legs suitable for digging.‭ ‬This has led to Chriacus being described as a raccoon-like animal,‭ ‬a generalist that could adapt its foraging behaviour to search for whatever food was available.‭ ‬This flexibility is reflected in the popular depiction of Chriacus as an omnivore,‭ ‬eating both plants and small animals,‭ ‬as well as possibly raiding nests for eggs and chicks.

Further Reading

– Climbing adaptations in the early eocene mammal Chriacus and the origin of artiodactyla. – Science. 236 (4799): 314–316. – K. D. Rose – 1987. – Virtual endocranial and inner ear endocasts of the Paleocene ‘condylarth’ Chriacus: new insight into the neurosensory system and evolution of early placental mammals. – Ornella C. Bertrand, Sarah L. Shelley John R. Wible Thomas E. Williamson Luke T. Holbrook Stephen G.B. Chester Ian B. Butler & Stephen L. Brusatte – 2019.

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