Paulchoffatia delgadoi
- Rodrigo
- Mar 19
- 2 min read
Age
Jurassic（Kimmeridgian）-Cretaceous（Berriasian）
154-145 Ma
Taxonomy
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Class: Mammalia
Order: Multituberculata
Family: Paulchoffatiidae
Genus: Paulchoffatia
Species: Paulchoffatia delgadoi
Morphological description
Paulchoffatia delgadoi is an early multituberculate discovered from the Late Jurassic Guimarota locality in Portugal, known primarily from fragmentary cranial and dental remains. Its mandible is robust and relatively low, indicating strong attachment sites for jaw musculature. The premolars are comparatively simplified yet sturdy, whereas the molars display the characteristic multituberculate condition: multiple rows of cusps (tubercles) arranged across the crown surface. These cusps are typically organized into three rows, densely packed and slightly irregular, forming an efficient grinding surface adapted for processing hard plant material or mixed diets.
The occlusion between upper and lower teeth is precise, reflecting an efficient chewing mechanism. Studies by Johann Werner Janos Hahn and Gertrud Hahn identified wear facets on the cusps, indicating consistent and repetitive mastication. Although the skull is incompletely preserved, the presence of the zygomatic arch and muscle attachment areas suggests well-developed masticatory musculature.
Etymology
The genus name Paulchoffatia was established in 1969 by Johann Hahn and Gertrud Hahn, honoring the Austrian-Swiss geologist Paul Choffat, who conducted extensive geological research in Portugal.
The species name delgadoi commemorates the Portuguese geologist João Delgado, recognized for his contributions to stratigraphy and paleontology in Portugal.
Biological description
As a representative European multituberculate of the Late Jurassic, Paulchoffatia delgadoi likely inhabited humid environments rich in vegetation, such as forested landscapes. Its dentition suggests a diet consisting of hard seeds, nuts, or fibrous plant material, with possible omnivorous tendencies.
The Guimarota ecosystem preserves a diverse assemblage of organisms, including dinosaurs, small crocodyliforms, lizards, and early mammaliaforms. Within this community, Paulchoffatia delgadoi was likely a small, ground-dwelling mammal, possibly nocturnal or crepuscular, reducing direct competition with larger reptiles. Phylogenetically, it is assigned to Paulchoffatiidae, representing an early European branch of multituberculates. Despite its relatively simple morphology, it possesses distinct derived traits, making it significant for understanding early multituberculate evolution.
Research by Thomas Martin, Alexey Averianov, Jaap Adrianus Schultz, Andreas H. Schwermann, and Oliver Wings (2019) indicates that multituberculates across different European localities shared similar dental adaptations, reflecting their wide distribution and ecological success during the Late Jurassic.
（Author: Rodrigo）
References
Hahn, G., & Hahn, R. (2000). Multituberculates from the Guimarota mine. In T. Martin & B. Krebs (Eds.), Guimarota – A Jurassic Ecosystem (pp. 97–107). München: Verlag Dr. Friedrich Pfeil.
Hahn, G. (2001). Neue Beobachtungen am Gebiss der Paulchoffatiidae (Multituberculata, Ober-Jura). Geologica et Palaeontologica, 35, 161–177.
Hahn, G. (2002). Neue Beobachtungen am Schädel der Paulchoffatiidae (Multituberculata, Ober-Jura). Paläontologische Zeitschrift, 76(2), 177–193.
Kielan-Jaworowska, Z. (1925–2015), & Hurum, J. H. (1967– ) (2001). Phylogeny and Systematics of Multituberculate Mammals. Palaeontology, 44(3), 389–429.
Martin, T., Averianov, A., Schultz, J. A., Schwermann, A. H., & Wings, O. (2019). Late Jurassic multituberculate mammals from Langenberg Quarry (Lower Saxony, Germany) and palaeobiogeography of European Jurassic multituberculates. Historical Biology, 33(5), 629–646.
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