Weirdodectes

Weirdodectes is an extinct genus of malleodectid that lived during the Middle Miocene.

Weirdodectes Temporal range: Middle Miocene PreꞒ Ꞓ O S D C P T J K Pg N ↓
3D scans of the holotype specimen
Scientific classification
Kingdom:	Animalia
Phylum:	Chordata
Class:	Mammalia
Infraclass:	Marsupialia
Order:	Dasyuromorphia
Family:	†Malleodectidae
Genus:	†Weirdodectes
Species:	†W. napoleoni
Binomial name
†Weirdodectes napoleoni Churchill et. al., 2025

Distribution

Weirdodectes napoleoni is known from fossils found in Queensland, Australia.^[1]

Etymology

The genus name Weirdodectes derives from the unusual morphology of the first molar, which is unique among marsupials. The species name napoleoni honours the lead author’s deceased dog, who provided emotional support for them during their studies.^[1]