Adelobasileus

genus of mammaliamorph cynodonts (fossil)

Adelobasileus is an extinct proto-mammal from the Upper Triassic, about 225 million years ago. There is only a partial skull from strata in western Texas.

Adelobasileus
Temporal range: Late Triassic, 225 Ma
Scientific classification Edit this classification
Domain: Eukaryota
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Clade: Synapsida
Clade: Therapsida
Clade: Cynodontia
Genus: Adelobasileus
Lucas & Hunt, 1990
Species:
A. cromptoni
Binomial name
Adelobasileus cromptoni
Lucas & Hunt, 1990

Skull features, like the housing of the cochlea, suggest that Adelobasileus is a transitional form in the evolution from cynodonts to end-Triassic mammals. For this reason, it may be close to modern mammals' common ancestor.[1][2] Their sleek body type suggests they moved very fast.

References

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  1. Lucas S.G. & Hunt A.P. 1990. The oldest mammal. New Mexico Journal of Science 30 (1): 41–49.
  2. Lucas S.G. & Luo Z. 1993. Adelobasileus from the upper Triassic of West Texas: the oldest mammal. J. Vert. Paleont 13 (3): 309–334. [1]

Other websites

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