Maotherium
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Extinct (fossil)
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| Maotherium sinensis |
Maotherium was discovered in Early Cretaceous rocks in Liaoning Province, China, in 2003. Its full scientific name, Maotherium sinensis, means "Mao's Chinese beast" after the Chinese politician Mao Tse-Tung. Maotherium belongs to an extinct group of Mesozoic mammals called symmetrodonts. Though little is known about this group, the symmetrodonts have several similarities - specifically their teeth. They have tall pointed, but simple molars in a triangular arrangement. Originally symmetrodonts were known since the 1920s. Now a vast majority have been restored, such as Zhangheotherium and Akidolestes, during the early 21st century. One of the fossils of Maotherium preserved the imprints of fur, like the mammals Eomaia and Sinodelphys.
