Kollikodon

Kollikodon ritchiei is an australosphenidan species, often classified as a monotreme but more recently recovered as an outgroup. It is known only from an opalised dentary fragment, with one premolar and two molars in situ. The fossil was found in the Griman Creek Formation at Lightning Ridge, New South Wales, Australia, as was Steropodon.

Kollikodon lived in the lower Cretaceous period, during the middle Albian age (113-101 million years ago).

Like Steropodon, Kollikodon was a relatively large mammal for the Mesozoic. The molars have a length of around 5.5 mm and a width of between about 4 and 6 mm (Clemens et al., 2003). Based upon these data, the potential body length could be up to a metre. Assuming the accuracy of such a guess, Kollikodon would be a contender for the largest Mesozoic mammal known, along with other possible giants such as Repenomamus, Schowalteria, and Bubodens.

Aside from its size, it is difficult to say what Kollikodon looked like. It is certain that its teeth were specialised to crush food, being perhaps a shellfish-eater or herbivore.

Both Kollikodon and Steropodon can be found at the Australian Museum in Sydney, along with Eric, the opalised pliosaur.

Etymology
Kollix is an ancient Greek word (κολλίξ) for a bread roll. The strange teeth of Kollikodon, when seen from above, resemble hot cross buns, traditionally toasted and eaten on Good Friday. Originally, Michael Archer wanted to name it "Hotcrossbunodon", but met disapproval from his associates.

See also

References 

 Flannery, T.F., Archer, M., Rich, T.H., Jones, R. (1995) "A new family of monotremes from the Cretaceous of Australia". Nature 377: 418-420.

External links 
 Australian Museum online: Lightning Ridge Opal fossils from Oz.
 Australian Museum online Some observations on Hotcrossbunidon.
 Australian Museum online, Collection Highlights

Category:Cretaceous mammals of Australia
Category:Prehistoric mammal genera
Category:Fossil taxa described in 1995