A new triconodont molariform tooth of Indozostrodon simpsoni, gen. et sp. nov., from the Early Jurassic Kota Formation is described and compared with other triconodont mammals. This nontherian triconodont mammal shows distinct dental morphological attributes which place it in the family Megazostrodontidae. The association of both nontherian and a number of therian mammals reported earlier from the Kota Formation undoubtedly points to a rapid diversification of the early mammals in the Early Jurassic. Remarkable similarity of this new taxon with other triconodont mammals points to a Pangaean distribution of these early mammals and supports the thesis that the continents were confluent at least up to the Early Jurassic and intercontinental migration was taking place.
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1 August 2001
Indozostrodon simpsoni, gen. et sp. nov., an Early Jurassic megazostrodontid mammal from India
P. M. DATTA,
D. P. DAS
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Journal of Vertebrate Paleontology
Vol. 21 • No. 3
August 2001
Vol. 21 • No. 3
August 2001