{{Short description|Extinct genus of enigmatic invertebrates}} {{Speciesbox | fossil_range = Paleogene–Neogene {{fossilrange|45|15}} {{Period fossil range|Paleogene-Neogene|45|15}} | image = Sialomorpha dominicana.jpg | image_caption = Artist's restoration | display_parents = 4 | grandparent_authority = Poinar & Nelson, 2019 | genus = Sialomorpha | parent_authority = Poinar & Nelson, 2019 | species = dominicana | authority = Poinar & Nelson, 2019 }}

'''''Sialomorpha dominicana''''', also known as the '''mold pig''', is a panarthropod genus of uncertain affinities discovered in 30-million year old Dominican amber by George Poinar at Oregon State University and Diane R. Nelson at East Tennessee University.<ref name=":0">{{Cite journal|last1=Poinar|first1=George|last2=Nelson|first2=Diane R.|date=September 28, 2019|title=A new microinvertebrate with features of mites and tardigrades in Dominican amber|url=https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/abs/10.1111/ivb.12265|journal=Invertebrate Biology |volume=138|issue=4|doi=10.1111/ivb.12265|s2cid=204157733|issn=1077-8306|url-access=subscription}}</ref><ref name="GIZMODO">{{cite web|url=https://www.gizmodo.com.au/2019/10/youve-heard-of-water-bears-but-how-about-these-ancient-mold-pigs/|title=You've Heard Of Water Bears, But How About These Ancient Mould Pigs?|author=Dvorsky, George|date=October 9, 2019|publisher=Gizmodo|accessdate=October 9, 2019}}</ref> It was placed in a new genus and family ('''Sialomorphidae''') unto itself, and appears to represent a new phylum. ''S. dominicana'' shares some resemblance to tardigrades and mites.<ref name="ATLAS">{{cite web|url=https://newatlas.com/science/mold-pigs-new-species-amber/|title=Newly discovered "mold pigs" don't fit into any known animal group|author=Irving, Michael|date=October 8, 2019|publisher=New Atlas|accessdate=October 9, 2019}}</ref> It is about 100&nbsp;μm long and grew by molting its exoskeleton.<ref name="SCINEWS">{{cite web|url=http://www.sci-news.com/paleontology/mold-pigs-07677.html|title=Mold Pigs: Strange Creatures with Features of Mites and Tardigrades Found in Amber|author=News Staff|date=October 9, 2019|publisher=Sci News|accessdate=October 9, 2019}}</ref> It was probably an omnivore, feeding on minute invertebrates and fungi, including mold.<ref name=":0" />

==References==

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{{Tardigrades}}

{{Taxonbar|from1=Q70464160|from2=Q70464040|from3=Q70464216}}

Category:Cenozoic invertebrates Category:Monotypic prehistoric protostome genera Category:Fossil taxa described in 2019 Category:Enigmatic protostome taxa Category:Dominican amber