Horolodectes

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Horolodectes
Temporal range: Late Paleocene
Scientific classification OOjs UI icon edit-ltr.svg
Domain: Eukaryota
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Class: Mammalia
Clade: Eutheria
Family:† Horolodectidae
Genus:† Horolodectes
Scott et al. 2006
Type species
Horolodectes sunae

Horolodectes sunae is a prehistoric eutherian mammal species from the Late Paleocene of northern Alberta, Canada. The generic name means "hourglass biter" in Greek in direct reference of the hourglass-shape of its teeth.

Contents

Horolodectes, along with the slightly older genus Ferrequitherium , belongs to the family Horolodectidae. [1]

Description

The dentition of Horolodectes comprises trenchant, posteriorly leaning premolars and comparatively primitive molars, which indicate a masticatory cycle that consisted primarily of shearing and, to a lesser degree, horizontal grinding. [2] Because of the blade-like formation of some of its teeth, Horolodectes is thought to have been carnivorous, likely eating insects and grubs. [3]

The animal is judged to have been roughly 10 centimeters in length, and have been covered in fur. [4]

Ecology

Horolodectes lived in the period 60 million years ago, geologically recently after the extinction of the dinosaurs, during which many small mammals were rapidly diversifying and filling new ecological niches. [5]

Range

This animal is only known from specimens in Alberta. Remains have been found near the Blindman River and Drayton Valley [6]

References

  1. ↑ Craig S. Scott (2018). "Horolodectidae: a new family of unusual eutherians (Mammalia: Theria) from the Palaeocene of Alberta, Canada". Zoological Journal of the Linnean Society. in press. doi:10.1093/zoolinnean/zly040.
  2. ↑ Scott C.S, Webb M.W. and Fox R.C. (2005). "Horolodectes sunae, an enigmatic mammal from the Late Paleocene of Alberta, Canada". Journal of Paleontology: 1009–1025.
  3. ↑ "Researchers give name to ancient mystery creature". Phys.org. University of Alberta. Retrieved 24 June 2025.
  4. ↑ "Researchers give name to ancient mystery creature". Phys.org. University of Alberta. Retrieved 24 June 2025.
  5. ↑ "Researchers give name to ancient mystery creature". Phys.org. University of Alberta. Retrieved 24 June 2025.
  6. ↑ "Researchers give name to ancient mystery creature". Phys.org. University of Alberta. Retrieved 24 June 2025.


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