In Depth
Kalaallitkigun is a genus of cynodont that lived in Greenland during the Triassic. At the time of its description Kalaallitkigun is known only from a partial lower jaw bone and a premolar and molar tooth. The teeth structure of the molar suggests that Kalaallitkigun was intermediate in its development lying somewhere between more primitive and more advanced cynodonts. The molar of Kalaallitkigun also suggests a feeding strategy more akin to grinding, though it is unknown for certain what Kalaallitkigun ate. The development may suggests a greater degree of herbivory, or at least been omnivorous, but again, certainty is hard to establish.
Further reading
- The earliest-known mammaliaform fossil from Greenland sheds light on origin of mammals. - Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences. 117 (43): 26861–26867. - T. Sulej, G. Krzesiński, M. Tałanda, A. S. Wolniewicz, B. Błażejowski, N. Bonde, P. Gutowski, M. Sienkiewicz & G. Niedźwiedzki - 2020.