Indotriconodon Explained

Indotriconodon magnus is an extinct mammal from the Late Cretaceous of India. An eutriconodont, it represents the geologically youngest of the group dating to the Maastrichtian just a few thousand years before the KT event (a reccord previously held by Alticonodon lindoei from the Campanian of Canada), as well as a relatively large sized Mesozoic mammal.[1]

Description

Indotriconodon magnus is known only from a single lower molar. It is about 20% smaller than that of Repenomamus giganticus but larger than that of other eutriconodonts, making it a badger-sized mammal.

Phylogeny

In its 2024 description it nests deeply within Eutriconodonta, being sister taxa to Volaticotherini.

Palaeoceology

Found in the Intertrappean Beds, it co-existed with at least other ten mammal genera as well various squamates, turtles and dinosaurs. In this time, India was isolated from other landmasses, and had a unique island biota.

Notes and References

  1. Bajpai . Sunil . Rautela . Abhay . Yadav . Ravi . Wilson Mantilla . Gregory P. . 2024-02-29 . The first eutriconodontan mammal from the Cretaceous (Maastrichtian) of India . . en . 10.1080/02724634.2024.2312234 . 0272-4634.