Indotriconodon

Indotriconodon Temporal range: 66  Ma PreꞒ Ꞓ O S D C P T J K Pg N ↓
Scientific classification
Domain:	Eukaryota
Kingdom:	Animalia
Phylum:	Chordata
Class:	Mammalia
Order:	† Eutriconodonta
Genus:	† Indotriconodon Bajpai et al., 2024
Species:	†I. magnus
Binomial name
†Indotriconodon magnus Bajpai et al., 2024

Indotriconodon magnus is an extinct mammal from the Late Cretaceous of India. A eutriconodont, it represents the geologically youngest of the group dating to the Maastrichtian just a few thousand years before the KT event (a record previously held by Alticonodon lindoei from the Campanian of Canada), as well as a relatively large sized Mesozoic mammal. ^[1]

Description

Indotriconodon magnus is known only from a single lower molar. It is about 20% smaller than that of Repenomamus giganticus but larger than that of other eutriconodonts, making it a badger-sized mammal. ^[1]

Phylogeny

In its 2024 description it nests deeply within Eutriconodonta, being sister taxa to Volaticotherini. ^[1]

Palaeoceology

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Indotriconodon type locality in Anjar pit BG1, Kachchh, Gujarat, India

Found in the Intertrappean Beds, it co-existed with at least other ten mammal genera as well various squamates, turtles and dinosaurs. ^[1] In this time, India was isolated from other landmasses, and had a unique island biota.

References

1. Bajpai, Sunil; Rautela, Abhay; Yadav, Ravi; Wilson Mantilla, Gregory P. (2024-02-29). "The first eutriconodontan mammal from the Cretaceous (Maastrichtian) of India" . Journal of Vertebrate Paleontology . 43 (4). doi:10.1080/02724634.2024.2312234. ISSN   0272-4634.