Comparison of Thrinaxodon, Kryptobataar and Monodelphis side view cutaway (3D recon)

Sideview cutaway of Thrinaxodon (top), Kryptobataar (middle) and Monodelphis (bottom), displaying the turbinate structures and braincase size of each specimen. Thrinaxodon has a small, open braincase and lacks the turbinates that were present in the more advanced Kryptobataar. The modern species Monodelphis shows the complexity and delicate nature of the nasal structures in modern mammals. Scale bar approximately 10 mm. (Thrinaxodon and Monodelphis courtesy of Dr. Tim Rowe, University of Texas at Austin, Kryptobataar courtesy of Dr. Guillermo Rougier, American Museum of Natural History)

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