Eurymylidae

Eurymylidae
Temporal range: Early Paleocene–Middle Eocene
Scientific classification Edit this classification
Domain: Eukaryota
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Class: Mammalia
Order: incertae sedis
Family: Eurymylidae
Matthew, Granger, & Simpson, 1929[1]
Genera[2]

Eurymylidae is a family of extinct simplicidentates. Most authorities consider them to be basal to all modern rodents and may have been the ancestral stock whence the most recent common ancestor of all modern rodents (crown rodents) arose. However, the more completely known eurymylids, including Eurymylus, Heomys, Matutinia, and Rhombomylus, appear to represent a monophyletic side branch not directly ancestral to rodents (Meng et al., 2003). Huang et al. (2004) have argued that Hanomys, Matutinia, and Rhombomylus form a clade characterized by distinctive features of the skull and dentition that should be recognized as a separate family, Rhombomylidae. Eurymylids are only known from Asia.

  1. ^ W. D. Matthew, W. Granger, and G. G. Simpson. 1929. Additions to the fauna of the Gashato Formation of Mongolia. American Museum Novitates 376:1–12
  2. ^ "†family Eurymylidae Matthew et al. 1929 (placental)". Archived from the original on 7 December 2021. Retrieved 2 July 2024.