Microtherulum
| Microtherulum Temporal range: Early Cretaceous (Aptian)
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Scientific classification 
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| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Chordata |
| Class: | Mammalia |
| Clade: | Eutheria |
| Genus: | †Microtherulum Wang & Wang, 2023 |
| Type species | |
| Microtherulum oneirodes Wang & Wang, 2023
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Microtherulum is an extinct genus of eutherian mammal known from the Early Cretaceous Jiufotang Formation of China. It is one of the earliest and most primitive eutherians.
Description
[edit]The genus is known from a mostly complete skeleton, including a well preserved skull, which is about 2 centimetres (0.79 in) long. The ear, which is among the best known in basal eutherians, is microtype, adapted for hearing high-frequency sounds. The dental formula is 5 incisors, 1 canine, 5 premolars and 3 molars in the each half of the upper jaw, and 4 incisors, 1 canine, 5 premolars and 3 molars in each half of the lower jaw, which is typical for basal eutherians.[1]
Phylogeny
[edit]Microtherulum has been placed close to the base of Eutheria.[1]
References
[edit]- ^ a b Wang, Haibing; Wang, Yuanqing (2023-10-26). "Middle ear innovation in Early Cretaceous eutherian mammals". Nature Communications. 14 (1): 6831. Bibcode:2023NatCo..14.6831W. doi:10.1038/s41467-023-42606-7. ISSN 2041-1723. PMC 10603157. PMID 37884521.