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]

Indotriconodon
Temporal range: 66 Ma
Scientific classification Edit this classification
Domain: Eukaryota
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Class: Mammalia
Order: Eutriconodonta
Genus: Indotriconodon
Bajpai et al., 2024
Species:
I. magnus
Binomial name
Indotriconodon magnus
Bajpai et al., 2024

Description

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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.[1]

Phylogeny

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In its 2024 description it nests deeply within Eutriconodonta, being sister taxa to Volaticotherini.[1]

Palaeoceology

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Found in the Intertrappean Beds, it co-existed with at least other ten mammal genera as well various squamates, turtles and dinosaurs.[1] In this time, India was isolated from other landmasses, and had a unique island biota.

References

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  1. ^ a b c d Bajpai, Sunil; Rautela, Abhay; Yadav, Ravi; Wilson Mantilla, Gregory P. (2024-02-29). "The first eutriconodontan mammal from the Cretaceous (Maastrichtian) of India". Journal of Vertebrate Paleontology. doi:10.1080/02724634.2024.2312234. ISSN 0272-4634.