Docodonta

Docodonts Fossil range: Middle Jurassic-Early Cretaceous
Castorocauda
Scientific classification
Kingdom: Animalia Phylum: Chordata Subphylum: Vertebrata (unranked): Amniota Class: Synapsida (unranked): Mammaliaformes Order: Docodonta Kretzoi, 1946

Docodonta is an order of extinct proto-mammals that lived during the mid- to late-Mesozoic era. Their most distinguishing physical features were their relatively sophisticated set of molars, from which the order gets its name. In the fossil record, Docodonta is represented primarily by isolated teeth and bits of jawbones. While most of these specimens have been found across former Laurasia (modern-day North America, Europe, and Asia), some have also been found from Gondwana (modern-day India and Southern Hemisphere).

The exact phylogenetic position of the docodonts depends on the method one is using. From a cladistic point of view, docodonts are advanced mammaliaforms just outside the Mammalia proper. From a 'traditional' point of view, the docodonts are basal mammals and usually placed in the paraphyletic subclass Allotheria.

Docodonts are thought to have been primarily herbivorous or insectivorous, although Castorocauda has teeth which suggest it ate fish.

See also

• Evolution of mammals

References

• G. V. R. Prasad and B. K. Manhas. "First docodont mammals of Laurasian affinity from India". Current Science. November 10, 2001.

External links

• Docodonta from Palaeos
• Mesozoic Mammals, an internet directory

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