Triisodontidae
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| Triisodontids Fossil range: Early Paleocene to Late Eocene |
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 Reconstruction of Andrewsarchus
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†Andrewsarchus |
Triisodontidae (literally "Three Equal Teeth") is an extinct family of mesonychian placental mammals. Most triisodontid genera lived during the early Paleocene in North America, but the genus Andrewsarchus is known from the late Eocene of Asia.[1] Triisodontids were the first relatively large predatory mammals to appear in North America following the extinction of the dinosaurs.[2] They differ from other mesonychian families in having less highly modified teeth.[3]
Because of their comparatively simpler teeth, the Triisodontids are regarded as basal mesonychids. Some experts regard the Triisodontids as being condylarths, or even arctocyonids, rather than mesonychids proper.
[edit] References
- ^ McKenna, M. C, and S. K. Bell (1997). Classification of Mammals Above the Species Level. Columbia University Press. ISBN 023111012X.
- ^ Clemens, W.A. and T.E. Williamson (2005). "A new species of Eoconodon (Triisodontidae, Mammalia) from the San Juan Basin, New Mexico". Journal of Vertebrate Paleontology 25 (1): 208–213. doi:.
- ^ Matthew, W.D. (1937). "Paleocene faunas of the San Juan Basin, New Mexico". Transactions of the American Philosophical Society 30: 1–510. doi:.
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