Altanulia is an extinct genus of prehistoric amphibian.[1]
| Altanulia Temporal range: Early Cretaceous, | |
|---|---|
Scientific classification  | |
| Domain: | Eukaryota |
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Chordata |
| Class: | Amphibia |
| Order: | Anura |
| Genus: | †Altanulia Gubin, 1993 |
| Type species | |
| † Altanulia alifanovi Gubin, 1993 | |
Description
The holotype of Altanulia - PIN 553/300 -, consisting of an isolated 20 mm long maxilla bearing 45-47 teeth, was found by the Soviet-Mongolian Paleontological Expedition in the southern Gobi Desert, Nemegt Formation, and dates from the Upper Cretaceous (Upper Campanian-Lower Maastrichtian). Altanulia was diagnosed on the basis in the "Posterior part of maxilla deep, with longitudinal wedge-shaped labial depression; pterygoid tubercle of maxilla well expressed; frontal process in anterior part of bone."[2]
Classification
Altanulia belongs to the Discoglossidae, due to the shape and structure of the lingual surface of its maxilla.[2]