Adelobasileus

Adelobasileus is a genus of mammaliamorph cynodonts from the Late Triassic (Carnian), about 225 million years ago. It is known only from a partial skull recovered from the Tecovas formation in western Texas, southern United States, referred to the species Adelobasileus cromptoni.

Adelobasileus
Temporal range: Late Triassic, 225 Ma
↓
Life restoration
Scientific classification
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Clade: Therapsida
Clade: Cynodontia
Clade: Mammaliamorpha
Genus: †Adelobasileus
Lucas & Hunt, 1990
Species:
†A. cromptoni
Binomial name
†Adelobasileus cromptoni
Lucas & Hunt, 1990

Roughly contemporary with the mammaliaform Tikitherium, Adelobasileus predates the non-mammalian cynodonts Tritylodontidae and Tritheledontidae by 10 million years. Distinct cranial features, especially the housing of the cochlea, suggest that Adelobasileus is a transitional form in the character transformation from non-mammaliaform cynodonts to mammaliaforms. For this reason, it is thought to be a close relative of the common ancestor of all modern mammals. Though traditionally classified as a mammal by trait-based taxonomy, it is outside the crown group containing all true mammals.[1]

References
  1. Rowe, T. S. (1988). "Definition, diagnosis, and origin of Mammalia" (PDF). Journal of Vertebrate Paleontology. 8 (3): 241–264. doi:10.1080/02724634.1988.10011708.

Sources
  • Lucas, SG; Hunt, AP (1990). "The oldest mammal". New Mexico Journal of Science. 30 (1): 41–49.CS1 maint: ref=harv (link)
  • Lucas, SG; Luo, Z (September 1993). "Adelobasileus from the upper Triassic of west Texas: the oldest mammal". J. Vert. Paleontol. 13 (3): 309–334. doi:10.1080/02724634.1993.10011512.


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