Cimolestes
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
| Cimolestes Temporal range: Late Cretaceous to Early Paleocene |
|
|---|---|
| Scientific classification | |
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Chordata |
| Class: | Mammalia |
| Order: | †Cimolesta |
| Suborder: | †Didelphodonta |
| Family: | †Cimolestidae |
| Genus: | †Cimolestes Marsh, 1889 |
Cimolestes ("Bug Thief") is a genus of early eutherians. Fossils have been found in North America, where they first appeared during the Late Cretaceous, and died out during the Paleocene.[1]
They were once considered to be marsupials, but now are considered to be members of the order Cimolesta (which was named after the genus).
Pangolins and carnivorans (that is, the clade Ferae) are believed to be cimolestids' closest living relatives.
[edit] References
- ^ McKenna, M. C, and S. K. Bell (1997). Classification of Mammals Above the Species Level. Columbia University Press. ISBN 023111012X.
 |
This prehistoric mammal-related article is a stub. You can help Wikipedia by expanding it. |
 |
This article related to the Cretaceous period is a stub. You can help Wikipedia by expanding it. |
