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Microtherulum

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Microtherulum
Temporal range: Early Cretaceous (Aptian) 120–118 Ma
Scientific classification Edit this classification
Domain: Eukaryota
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Class: Mammalia
Clade: Eutheria
Genus: Microtherulum
Wang & Wang, 2023
Type species
Microtherulum oneirodes
Wang & Wang, 2023

Microtherulum is an extinct genus of eutherian mammal known from the Early Cretaceous Jiufotang Formation of China. It is one of the most earliest and most primitive eutherians.

Description

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The genus is known from a mostly complete skeleton, including a well preserved skull, which is about 2 centimetres (0.79 in) long. The ear, which among the best known in basal eutherians is microtype, adapted for hearing high-frequency sounds. The dental formula is 5 incisors, 1 canine, 5 premolars and 3 molars in the each half of the upper jaw, and 4 incisors, 1 canine, 5 premolars and 3 molars in each half of the lower jaw, which is typical for basal eutherians.[1]

Phylogeny

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Microtherulum has been placed close to the base of Eutheria.[1]

Metatheria

Eutheria

References

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  1. ^ a b Wang, Haibing; Wang, Yuanqing (2023-10-26). "Middle ear innovation in Early Cretaceous eutherian mammals". Nature Communications. 14 (1). doi:10.1038/s41467-023-42606-7. ISSN 2041-1723. PMC 10603157. PMID 37884521.