Horolodectes
Horolodectes Temporal range: Late Paleocene
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Scientific 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
[edit]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
[edit]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
[edit]This animal is only known from specimens in Alberta. Remains have been found near the Blindman River and Drayton Valley[6]
References
[edit]- ^ 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.
- ^ 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]
- ^ "Researchers give name to ancient mystery creature". Phys.org. University of Alberta. Retrieved 24 June 2025.
- ^ "Researchers give name to ancient mystery creature". Phys.org. University of Alberta. Retrieved 24 June 2025.
- ^ "Researchers give name to ancient mystery creature". Phys.org. University of Alberta. Retrieved 24 June 2025.
- ^ "Researchers give name to ancient mystery creature". Phys.org. University of Alberta. Retrieved 24 June 2025.