Lambdopsalidae Explained

Lambdopsalidae is a family of extinct multituberculate mammals from the Late Paleocene of Asia. They are part of Taeniolabidoidea, a clade otherwise present in the Early Paleocene (and possibly the Late Cretaceous) of North America. The Lambdopsalids probably evolved from a single radiation that spread into Asia from North America in the mid-Paleocene or earlier. They are represented by the genera Lambdopsalis, Sphenopsalis and Prionessus.[1] [2] This group was first defined in 1978 by Chow and Tao Qi.[3]

The Lambdopsalids were small mammals, with estimated adult body masses of about 0.4kg (00.9lb) to 0.8kg (01.8lb).[4] They are notable for their enlarged teeth that implies adaptations towards leaf grazing,[1] and adaptations for burrowing such as a short and flat snout, robust humeri, stiff neck and enlarged lower incisors.[5] [6] This group has a shared dental formula of [3] Examples of Lambdopsalis are notable for offering direct evidence of hair and enamel and tooth prism patterns among multituberculates.[7]

Lambdopsalids lived during the Thanetian, the last stage of the Paleocene, with fossils ranging from 59-55 million years ago.[8] They disappeared around the PETM.

References

Further reading

Notes and References

  1. Williamson et al 2015
  2. Mao et al 2016, p 433
  3. Mao et al, 2016 pg 433
  4. Wilson et al 2012, Supplemental table 5
  5. Kielan-Jorowowska and Qi, 1990
  6. Kielan-Jorowowska and Hurum, 2001
  7. Mao et al, 2015
  8. Wilson et al 2012, Supplemental Tables 3 and 5

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