Adapisoriculidae Temporal range: Late Cretaceous record
[1]
Possible
| |
---|---|
![]() | |
Jaw fragment of Bustylus marandati | |
Scientific classification
![]() | |
Domain: | Eukaryota |
Kingdom: | Animalia |
Phylum: | Chordata |
Class: | Mammalia |
Clade: | Eutheria |
Family: | †
Adapisoriculidae Van Valen (1967) |
Genera | |
Adapisoriculidae is an extinct family of non-placental eutherian mammals present during the Paleogene and possibly the Late Cretaceous. They were once thought to be members of the order Erinaceomorpha, [7] closely related to the hedgehog family ( Erinaceidae), because of their similar dentition, or to be basal Euarchontans. [8] They were also thought to be marsupials at one point. Most recent studies show them to be non-placental eutherians, however. [9]
They were small mammals of about 15 cm long, with a tail of equal length. They were probably nocturnal, eating insects and fruits.
Deccanolestes and Sahnitherium from the Late Cretaceous of India may be Cretaceous members of Adapisoriculidae.
Adapisoriculidae Temporal range: Late Cretaceous record
[1]
Possible
| |
---|---|
![]() | |
Jaw fragment of Bustylus marandati | |
Scientific classification
![]() | |
Domain: | Eukaryota |
Kingdom: | Animalia |
Phylum: | Chordata |
Class: | Mammalia |
Clade: | Eutheria |
Family: | †
Adapisoriculidae Van Valen (1967) |
Genera | |
Adapisoriculidae is an extinct family of non-placental eutherian mammals present during the Paleogene and possibly the Late Cretaceous. They were once thought to be members of the order Erinaceomorpha, [7] closely related to the hedgehog family ( Erinaceidae), because of their similar dentition, or to be basal Euarchontans. [8] They were also thought to be marsupials at one point. Most recent studies show them to be non-placental eutherians, however. [9]
They were small mammals of about 15 cm long, with a tail of equal length. They were probably nocturnal, eating insects and fruits.
Deccanolestes and Sahnitherium from the Late Cretaceous of India may be Cretaceous members of Adapisoriculidae.