| Azilestes | |
|---|---|
Scientific classification 
| |
| Domain: | Eukaryota |
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Chordata |
| Class: | Mammalia |
| Family: | †Zhelestidae |
| Genus: | †Azilestes Gheerbrant & Teodori, 2021 |
| Species: | †A. ragei
|
| Binomial name | |
| †Azilestes ragei Gheerbrant & Teodori, 2021
| |
Azilestes ("Mas-d'Azil robber") is a genus of probable zhelestid eutherian mammal, a family consisting of small herbivores, that was discovered in the early Maastrichtian Grès de Labarre Formation of France.[2] It is a monotypic genus, with only type species A. ragei being known. Only one specimen, the holotype described in 2021, is known. It consists of a partial dentary with teeth.[2]
Certain aspects of Azilestes's dental anatomy are convergent with later groups of herbivorous mammals, including Glires, though phylogenetic analysis strongly suggests a position within the Zhelestidae.[2] It possesses bunodont molars, enlarged postfossids and hypoconids, an interradicular crest and radicular grooves, a unique combination among Cretaceous eutherians.[2]
- ^ Fossilworks: Maison Varin, Dreuilhe fossilworks.org. Retrieved 2021-03-29.
- ^ a b c d Gheerbrant E. & Teodori D. 2021. — An enigmatic specialized new eutherian mammal from the Late Cretaceous of Western Europe (Northern Pyrenees), in Folie A., Buffetaut E., Bardet N., Houssaye A., Gheerbrant E. & Laurin M. (eds), Palaeobiology and palaeobiogeography of amphibians and reptiles: An homage to Jean-Claude Rage. Comptes Rendus Palevol 20 (13): 207-223. https://doi.org/10.5852/cr-palevol2021v20a13
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