Microtherulum

Microtherulum; Temporal range: Early Cretaceous (Barremian) 120–118 Ma PreꞒ Ꞓ O S D C P T J K Pg N ↓
Scientific classification
Domain:	Eukaryota
Kingdom:	Animalia
Phylum:	Chordata
Class:	Mammalia
Clade:	Eutheria
Genus:	†Microtherulum; Wang & Wang, 2023
Type species
	Microtherulum oneirodes; Wang & Wang, 2023

Microtherulum is an extinct genus of eutherian mammal known from the Early Cretaceous Jiufotang Formation of China. It is one of the most 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 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]

Metatheria

Eutheria

	Sinodelphys

	Ambolestes

Microtherulum

Eomaia

	Asioryctes

	Kennalestes

	Gypsonictops

	Cimolestes

Zalambdalestes

Aspanlestes

	Protungulatum

	Eoungulatum

	Leptictis

	Placentalia

References[edit]

^ ^a ^b Wang, Haibing; Wang, Yuanqing (2023-10-26). "Middle ear innovation in Early Cretaceous eutherian mammals". Nature Communications. 14 (1). doi:10.1038/s41467-023-42606-7. ISSN 2041-1723. PMC 10603157. PMID 37884521.

[:0-1] Wang, Haibing; Wang, Yuanqing (2023-10-26). "Middle ear innovation in Early Cretaceous eutherian mammals". Nature Communications. 14 (1). doi:10.1038/s41467-023-42606-7. ISSN 2041-1723. PMC 10603157. PMID 37884521.

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