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Horolodectes

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Horolodectes
Temporal range: Late Paleocene
Scientific classification Edit this classification
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.

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

Description

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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

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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

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

References

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  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. [1]
  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.