Pantolestidae is an extinct family of semi-aquatic, non-placentaleutherianmammals. Forming the core of the equally extinct suborder Pantolesta, the pantolestids evolved as a series of increasingly otter-like forms, ranging from the Middle Paleocene (60 mya) Bessoecetor to the Late Eocene (Ergilian) (50-33 mya) Gobiopithecus and Kiinkerishella. They first appear in North America, whence they spread to Europe.[1]
The pantolestids were fish predators with a body length of about 50 centimetres (20 in) and a tail about 35 centimetres (14 in) long. The anatomy of these archaic "insectivorous" mammals is best known through well-preserved Middle EoceneBuxolestes specimens found at Messel in Germany and a few other less complete specimens,[2] such as the Palaeosinopa found at Fossil Butte in Wyoming, estimated to have reached body weights of up to 1,400 grams (3 lb), making them relatively large early mammals.[1]
They had moderately strong canines and multi-cusped cutting teeth supported by the strong jaw muscles[2] to which cranial cavities were adapted. This combination of dentition and muscles has been interpreted as an early adaptation to a hard diet such as clams and snails.[1]
Freely articulated forearm bones (radius and ulna) permitted their powerful forelimbs wide rotational movements, while their digits had large bony claws —indicating they could dig and build underground dens. Their powerful hind limbs could not be rotated in the same way, but the prominent transverse processes of the first tail vertebra suggest that they used their powerful tails to propel through the water like modern otters.[2] In later pantolestids there is a prominent cranial crest combined with strong spinal processes, indicating the presence of strong neck muscles needed by swimmers that constantly hold their heads above the water surface.[1]
The youngest pantolestids known are Gobiopithecus khan and Kiinkerishella zaisanica from the Ergilian deposits of Khoer Dzan, Mongolia. These late Asian forms are thought to be one of the few examples of European mammals dispersing into Asia during the Grande Coupure.[3]
Jehle, Martin (December 8, 2005). "Insectivore-like mammals: Tiny teeth and their enigmatic owners". Paleocene Mammals. Retrieved 17 January 2010.
External linksedit
"Family: Pantolestidae: Occurrence overview". GDIF. Retrieved 17 January 2010.
December 14, 2023
pantolestidae, extinct, family, semi, aquatic, placental, eutherian, mammals, forming, core, equally, extinct, suborder, pantolesta, pantolestids, evolved, series, increasingly, otter, like, forms, ranging, from, middle, paleocene, bessoecetor, late, eocene, e. Pantolestidae is an extinct family of semi aquatic non placental eutherian mammals Forming the core of the equally extinct suborder Pantolesta the pantolestids evolved as a series of increasingly otter like forms ranging from the Middle Paleocene 60 mya Bessoecetor to the Late Eocene Ergilian 50 33 mya Gobiopithecus and Kiinkerishella They first appear in North America whence they spread to Europe 1 PantolestidaeTemporal range Late Cretaceous Oligocene PreꞒ Ꞓ O S D C P T J K Pg NPalaeosinopa from Wyoming eoceneScientific classificationDomain EukaryotaKingdom AnimaliaPhylum ChordataClass MammaliaOrder CimolestaSuborder PantolestaFamily PantolestidaeCope 1884GeneraBessoecetorBisonalveusBuxolestesPalaeosinopaPantolestesPentacodonDyspterna Contents 1 Description 2 Classification 3 Notes 4 References 5 External linksDescription editThe pantolestids were fish predators with a body length of about 50 centimetres 20 in and a tail about 35 centimetres 14 in long The anatomy of these archaic insectivorous mammals is best known through well preserved Middle Eocene Buxolestes specimens found at Messel in Germany and a few other less complete specimens 2 such as the Palaeosinopa found at Fossil Butte in Wyoming estimated to have reached body weights of up to 1 400 grams 3 lb making them relatively large early mammals 1 They had moderately strong canines and multi cusped cutting teeth supported by the strong jaw muscles 2 to which cranial cavities were adapted This combination of dentition and muscles has been interpreted as an early adaptation to a hard diet such as clams and snails 1 Freely articulated forearm bones radius and ulna permitted their powerful forelimbs wide rotational movements while their digits had large bony claws indicating they could dig and build underground dens Their powerful hind limbs could not be rotated in the same way but the prominent transverse processes of the first tail vertebra suggest that they used their powerful tails to propel through the water like modern otters 2 In later pantolestids there is a prominent cranial crest combined with strong spinal processes indicating the presence of strong neck muscles needed by swimmers that constantly hold their heads above the water surface 1 The youngest pantolestids known are Gobiopithecus khan and Kiinkerishella zaisanica from the Ergilian deposits of Khoer Dzan Mongolia These late Asian forms are thought to be one of the few examples of European mammals dispersing into Asia during the Grande Coupure 3 Classification editFamily Pantolestidae Cope 1884 Subfamilies Pentacodontinae Simpson 1937 Amaramnis Aphronorus Bisonalveus Coriphagus Pentacodon dd Pantolestinae Cope 1884 Bessoecetor Bogbia Bouffinomus Buxolestes Chadronia Galethylax Oboia Palaeosinopa Pagonomus Pantolestes Thelysia Todralestes dd Dyspterninae Kretzoi 1943 Cryptopithecus Dyspterna Gobipithecus Kochictis dd dd 4 Notes edit a b c d Jehle 2005 a b c Agusti 2002 p 5 Spencer G Lucas Kate E Zeigler Peter E Kondrashov Paleogene Mammals Bulletin 26 2004 Haaramo Mikko March 2008 Pantolestidae Mikko s Phylogeny Archive Retrieved 17 January 2010 long list including dozens of species References editAgusti Jordi Anton Mauricio 2002 Mammoths Sabertooths and Hominids 65 Million Years of Mammalian Evolution in Europe New York Columbia University Press ISBN 0 231 11640 3 Jehle Martin December 8 2005 Insectivore like mammals Tiny teeth and their enigmatic owners Paleocene Mammals Retrieved 17 January 2010 External links edit Family Pantolestidae Occurrence overview GDIF Retrieved 17 January 2010 Retrieved from https en wikipedia org w index php title Pantolestidae amp oldid 1149489397, wikipedia, wiki, book, books, library,
