Lambdopsalidae

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Taeniolabidoidea
Temporal range: 59–55  Ma
Scientific classification OOjs UI icon edit-ltr.svg
Domain: Eukaryota
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Class: Mammalia
Order: Multituberculata
Superfamily: Taeniolabidoidea
Family: Lambdopsalidae
Chow and Qi, 1978 [1]
Genera

Lambdopsalidae is a family of extinct multituberculate mammals from the Late Paleocene of Asia. They are part of Taeniolabidoidea, a clade otherwise present in the Early Paleocene (and possibly the Late Cretaceous) of North America. The Lambdopsalids probably evolved from a single radiation that spread into Asia from North America in the mid-Paleocene or earlier. They are represented by the genera Lambdopsalis , Sphenopsalis and Prionessus . [2] [1] This group was first defined in 1978 by Chow and Tao Qi. [3]

Contents

The Lambdopsalids were small mammals, with estimated adult body masses of about 0.4 kilograms (0.88 lb) to 0.8 kilograms (1.8 lb). [4] They are notable for their enlarged teeth that implies adaptations towards leaf grazing, [2] and adaptations for burrowing such as a short and flat snout, robust humeri, stiff neck and enlarged lower incisors. [5] [6] This group has a shared dental formula of 2.0.1.21.0.1.2 [3] Examples of Lambdopsalis are notable for offering direct evidence of hair and enamel and tooth prism patterns among multituberculates. [7]

Lambdopsalids lived during the Thanetian, the last stage of the Paleocene, with fossils ranging from 59-55 million years ago. [8] They disappeared around the PETM.

Notes

  1. 1 2 Mao et al 2016, p 433
  2. 1 2 Williamson et al 2015
  3. 1 2 Mao et al, 2016 pg 433
  4. Wilson et al 2012, Supplemental table 5
  5. Kielan-Jorowowska and Qi, 1990
  6. Kielan-Jorowowska and Hurum, 2001
  7. Mao et al, 2015
  8. Wilson et al 2012, Supplemental Tables 3 and 5

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References

Further reading