Cimolodonta is a taxon of

extinct Extinction is the termination of a kind of organism or of a group of kinds (taxon), usually a species. The moment of extinction is generally considered to be the death of the last individual of the species, although the capacity to breed and ...

mammals Mammals () are a group of vertebrate animals constituting the class Mammalia (), characterized by the presence of mammary glands which in females produce milk for feeding (nursing) their young, a neocortex (a region of the brain), fur or ...

that lived from the

Cretaceous The Cretaceous ( ) is a geological period that lasted from about 145 to 66 million years ago (Mya). It is the third and final period of the Mesozoic Era, as well as the longest. At around 79 million years, it is the longest geological period of th ...

to the

Eocene The Eocene ( ) Epoch is a geological epoch (geology), epoch that lasted from about 56 to 33.9 million years ago (mya). It is the second epoch of the Paleogene Period (geology), Period in the modern Cenozoic Era (geology), Era. The name ''Eocene' ...

. They were some of the more derived members of the extinct order

Multituberculata Multituberculata (commonly known as multituberculates, named for the multiple tubercles of their teeth) is an extinct order of rodent-like mammals with a fossil record spanning over 130 million years. They first appeared in the Middle Jurassic, a ...

. They probably lived something of a

rodent Rodents (from Latin , 'to gnaw') are mammals of the order Rodentia (), which are characterized by a single pair of continuously growing incisors in each of the upper and lower jaws. About 40% of all mammal species are rodents. They are na ...

-like existence until their

ecological niche In ecology, a niche is the match of a species to a specific environmental condition. Three variants of ecological niche are described by It describes how an organism or population responds to the distribution of resources and competitors (for ...

was assumed by true rodents. The more basal multituberculates are found in a different suborder, "

Plagiaulacida Plagiaulacida is a group of extinct multituberculate mammals. Multituberculates were among the most common mammals of the Mesozoic, "the age of the dinosaurs". Plagiaulacids are a paraphyletic grouping, containing all multituberculates that lie ...

", a

paraphyletic In taxonomy (general), taxonomy, a group is paraphyletic if it consists of the group's most recent common ancestor, last common ancestor and most of its descendants, excluding a few Monophyly, monophyletic subgroups. The group is said to be pa ...

group containing all non cimolodontan multituberculates. Cimolodonta is apparently a natural (monophyletic) suborder. Remains have been identified from across the

Northern Hemisphere The Northern Hemisphere is the half of Earth that is north of the Equator. For other planets in the Solar System, north is defined as being in the same celestial hemisphere relative to the invariable plane of the solar system as Earth's Nort ...

. They first appeared during the

Aptian The Aptian is an age in the geologic timescale or a stage in the stratigraphic column. It is a subdivision of the Early or Lower Cretaceous Epoch or Series and encompasses the time from 121.4 ± 1.0 Ma to 113.0 ± 1.0 Ma (million years ago), a ...

, and completely replaced the more primitive plagiaulacidans by the early Late Cretaceous. The taxon is recognized as the informal

Paracimexomys group ''Paracimexomys'' is a genus of extinct mammals in the also extinct Multituberculata order. ''Paracimexomys'' lived during the Cretaceous period. The few fossils remains come from North America. Some Romanian fossils were also tentatively assig ...

and the superfamilies

Djadochtatherioidea Djadochtatherioidea is a group of extinct mammals known from the upper Cretaceous of Central Asia. They were members of an also extinct order called Multituberculata. These were generally somewhat rodent-like creatures, who scurried around duri ...

Taeniolabidoidea Taeniolabidoidea is a group of extinct mammals known from North America and Asia. They were the largest members of the extinct order Multituberculata, as well as the largest non-therian mammals. '' Lambdopsalis'' even provides direct fossil evide ...

, and

Ptilodontoidea Ptilodontoidea is a group of extinct mammals from the Northern Hemisphere. They were generally small, somewhat rodent-like creatures of the extinct order Multituberculata. Some of these genera boast a great many species, though remains are g ...

. Additionally, and of uncertain affinities, are the families

Cimolomyidae Cimolomyidae is a family of fossil mammal within the extinct order Multituberculata. Representatives are known from the Upper Cretaceous and the Paleocene of North America and perhaps Mongolia. The family is part of the suborder Cimolodonta. Oth ...

, Boffiidae,

Eucosmodontidae Eucosmodontidae is a poorly preserved family of fossil mammals within the extinct order Multituberculata. Representatives are known from strata dating from the Upper Cretaceous through the Lower Eocene of North America, as well as the Paleocene ...

Kogaionidae Kogaionidae is a family of fossil mammals within the extinct order Multituberculata. Representatives are known from the Upper Cretaceous and the Paleocene of Europe. Having started as island endemics on Hateg Island during the Upper Cretaceous, ...

Microcosmodontidae Microcosmodontidae is a poorly preserved family of fossil mammals within the extinct order Multituberculata. Representatives are known from the Lower Paleocene of North America. The family is part of the suborder Cimolodonta. Other than that, the ...

and the two genera '' Uzbekbaatar'' and '' Viridomys''. More precise placement of these types awaits further discoveries and analysis.

Taxonomy

Suborder †Cimolodonta McKenna, 1975 * Superfamily ''

Incertae sedis ' () or ''problematica'' is a term used for a taxonomic group where its broader relationships are unknown or undefined. Alternatively, such groups are frequently referred to as "enigmatic taxa". In the system of open nomenclature, uncertainty ...

'' ** Family ''

'' *** Subfamily ''

'' **** Genus? '' Ameribaatar'' Eaton & Cifelli, 2001 **** Genus? ''

Bryceomys ''Bryceomys'' is an extinct mammal that lived during the late Cretaceous period (between 100 and 66 million years ago) and thus shared the world with dinosaurs. It was a member of the also extinct order of Multituberculata. It was within the sub ...

'' Eaton, 1995 **** Genus ''

Cedaromys ''Cedaromys'' ("Cedar mouse") is an extinct mammal which lived during the Upper Cretaceous, at the same time as many dinosaurs. It was a member of the also extinct order of Multituberculata. It's within the suborder of Cimolodonta, and a possibl ...

'' Eaton & Cifelli, 2001 **** Genus? '' Dakotamys'' Eaton, 1995; (Early Cretaceous, Central North America) **** Genus? '' Fractinus'' Higgins, 2003 **** Genus '' Halodon'' Marsh, 1889 **** Genus ''

Ptilodus ''Ptilodus'' (meaning "soft-haired") is a genus of mammals from the extinct order of Multituberculata, and lived during the Paleocene in North America. ''Ptilodus'' was a relatively large multituberculate of in length, which is about the same s ...

'' (Marsh, 1889) Gidley, 1909 **** Genus? '' Uzbekbaatar'' Kielan-Jaworowska & Nesov, 1992 **** Genus? ''

Barbatodon ''Barbatodon'' is a mammal genus from the Upper Cretaceous period. It lived in Transylvania at the same time as some of the last dinosaurs and was a member of the extinct order of Multituberculata. It is within the suborder of Cimolodonta, and t ...

'' Rãdulescu & Samson, 1986 * "

" Archibald, 1982 ** Genus ''

Paracimexomys ''Paracimexomys'' is a genus of extinct mammals in the also extinct Multituberculata order. ''Paracimexomys'' lived during the Cretaceous period. The few fossils remains come from North America. Some Romanian fossils were also tentatively assig ...

'' Archibald, 1982 ** Genus? ''

Cimexomys ''Cimexomys'' is an extinct North American mammal that lived from the Upper Cretaceous to the Paleocene. For a while, it shared the world with dinosaurs, but outlived them. It was a member of the extinct order Multituberculata and lies within t ...

'' Fox, 1971 ** Genus ''

'' Sloan & Van Valen, 1965 sensu stricto? * Family Boffiidae Hahn & Hahn, 1983 ** Genus ''

Boffius ''Boffius'' is a genus of mammal from the Paleocene of Europe, which was named by Vianey-Liaud M. in 1979. It is a member of the extinct order of Multituberculata. Boffius lies within the suborder Cimolodonta and is the only known member of ...

'' Vianey-Liaud, 1979 * Family

Marsh, 1889 sensu Kielan-Jaworowska & Hurum, 2001 ** Genus ''

Essonodon ''Essonodon'' is a mammal genus from the Upper Cretaceous of North America. It was a member of the extinct order Multituberculata and lived towards the end of the "age of the dinosaurs." It is within the suborder Cimolodonta and perhaps the ...

'' Simpson, 1927 ** Genus '' Buginbaatar'' Kielan-Jaworowska & Sochava, 1969 ** Genus '' Meniscoessus'' Cope, 1882 (syn. ''Dipriodon'' Marsh, 1889, ''Tripriodon'' Marsh, 1889, ''Selenacodon'' Marsh, 1889, ''Halodon'' Marsh, 1889, ''Oracodon'' Marsh, 1889) ** Genus ''

Cimolomys ''Cimolomys'' is a mammal genus from the Upper Cretaceous of North America. It was a member of the extinct order Multituberculata within the suborder Cimolodonta and family Cimolomyidae. The genus ''Cimolomys'' was named by Othniel Charles Mar ...

'' Marsh, 1889 (syn. ?''Allacodon'' Marsh, 1889; ''Meniscoessus''; ''Ptilodus''; ''Selenacodon'' Marsh, 1889) * Superfamily

Cope, 1887 sensu McKenna & Bell, 1997 & Kielan-Jaworowska & Hurum, 2001 ** Family

Cimolodontidae Cimolodontidae is a family of fossil mammals within the extinct order Multituberculata. Representatives are known from the Upper Cretaceous and Paleocene of North America. The family Cimolodontidae was named by Othniel Charles Marsh in 1889 a ...

Marsh, 1889 sensu Kielan-Jaworowska & Hurum, 2001 *** Genus ''

Liotomus ''Liotomus'' is a genus of extinct mammal from the Paleocene epoch (early Cenozoic era). It lived in Europe and North America, and was a member of the extinct order Multituberculata, lying within the suborder Cimolodonta and possibly the fami ...

'' Lemoine, 1882 *** Genus ''

'' Simpson, 1927 *** Genus ''

Anconodon ''Anconodon'' is an extinct genus of mammal from the Paleocene of North America, and thus lived just after the " age of the dinosaurs". It was a member of the extinct order Multituberculata within the suborder Cimolodonta and possibly the fami ...

'' Jepsen, 1940 *** Genus ''

Cimolodon ''Cimolodon'' is a genus of the extinct mammal order of Multituberculata within the suborder Cimolodonta and the family Cimolodontidae. Specimens are known from the Late Cretaceous of North America. Systematics The genus ''Cimolodon'' was nam ...

'' Marsh, 1889 yn. ''Nanomys'' Marsh, 1889, ''Nonomyops'' Marsh, 1892/small> *** Genus ''

Neoliotomus ''Neoliotomus'' is a genus of North American mammal from the Paleocene. It existed in the age immediately following the extinction of the last dinosaurs and was a member of the extinct order Multituberculata. It lies within the suborder Cimolo ...

'' Jepsen, 1930 ** Family

Ptilodontidae Ptilodontidae is a family of primitive mammals within the extinct order Multituberculata. Representatives are known from the Upper Cretaceous and Paleocene of North America. The Ptilodontidae family was originally named Ptilodontinae and classi ...

Cope, 1887 (syn Ptilodontinae Cope, 1887 sensu McKenna & Bell, 1997) *** Genus '' Kimbetohia'' Simpson, 1936 *** Genus ''

'' Cope, 1881 (''Chirox'' Cope, 1884) *** Genus '' Baiotomeus'' Krause, 1987 *** Genus '' Prochetodon'' Jepsen, 1940 ** Family

Neoplagiaulacidae Neoplagiaulacidae is a family of mammal within the extinct order Multituberculata. Fossil remains are known from the Upper Cretaceous through to the latest Eocene/early Oligocene. Representatives have been found in North America, Europe and Asia. ...

Ameghino, 1890 (syn Neoplagiaulacinae Ameghino, 1890 sensu McKenna & Bell, 1997) *** Genus ''

Mesodma ''Mesodma'' is an extinct genus of mammal, a member of the extinct order Multituberculata within the suborder Cimolodonta, family Neoplagiaulacidae. It lived during the upper Cretaceous and Paleocene Periods of what is now North America. The e ...

'' Marsh, 1889 *** Genus '' Ectypodus'' Matthew & Cranger, 1921 (Syn. ''Charlesmooria'' Kühne, 1969) *** Genus ''

Mimetodon ''Mimetodon'' is a small mammal from the Paleocene of North America and perhaps Europe. It was a member of the extinct order Multituberculata within the suborder Cimolodonta and family Neoplagiaulacidae. The genus ''Mimetodon'' was named by Je ...

'' Jepsen, 1940 *** Genus ''

Neoplagiaulax ''Neoplagiaulax'' is a mammal genus from the Paleocene of Europe and North America. In the case of the latter continent, there may possibly be some slightly earlier, Upper Cretaceous material too. It existed in the age immediately following the e ...

'' Lemoine, 1882 *** Genus ''

Parectypodus ''Parectypodus'' (meaning "besides '' Ectypodus''") is an extinct genus of mammals that lived from Late Cretaceous (Maastrichtian) to Eocene time in North America. It is a member of the extinct order of Multituberculata, suborder Cimolodonta, f ...

'' Jepsen, 1930 *** Genus ''

Cernaysia ''Cernaysia'' is an extinct genus of mammal from the Paleocene of France and the United States. It existed in the age immediately following the extinction of the last dinosaurs. This animal was a member of the extinct order Multituberculata with ...

'' Vianey-Liaud, 1986 *** Genus ''

Krauseia ''Krauseia'' is an extinct genus of small mammal from the Paleocene of North America. It was a member of the extinct order Multituberculata and is within the suborder of Cimolodonta, family Neoplagiaulacidae. The genus was nemed by Vianey-Liaud ...

'' Vianey-Liaud, 1986 *** Genus ''

Xyronomys ''Xyronomys'' is an extinct genus of small mammals from the Paleocene of North America, with two described species. The genus lies within the extinct order Multituberculata within the suborder Cimolodonta and family Neoplagiaulacidae. The spec ...

'' Rigby, 1980 *** Genus ''

Xanclomys ''Xanclomys'' is a small mammal from the Paleocene of North America. It was a genus within the extinct order Multituberculata within the suborder Cimolodonta and family Neoplagiaulacidae. The genus ''Xanclomys'', named by Rigby J.K. in 1980, ...

'' Rigby, 1980 *** Genus ''

Mesodmops ''Mesodmops'' is a genus of small mammal from the Eocene of China. It was a late member of the extinct order of Multituberculata. It's within the suborder of Cimolodonta and family Neoplagiaulacidae Neoplagiaulacidae is a family of mammal ...

'' Tong & Wang, 1994 ** Family

Rãdulescu & Samson, 1996 *** Genus ''

'' Rãdulescu & Samson, 1996 *** Genus '' Hainina'' Vianey-Liaud, 1979 *** Genus '' Kogaionon'' Rãdulescu & Samson, 1996 ** Family

Jepsen, 1940 sensu Kielan-Jaworowska & Hurum, 2001 (syn. Eucosmodontinae Jepsen, 1940 sensu McKenna & Bell, 1997) *** Genus ''

Clemensodon ''Clemensodon'' is a genus of extinct mammal from the Upper Cretaceous of North America. It lived during the end of the Mesozoic, also known as the "age of the dinosaurs". It was a member of the extinct order of Multituberculata within the subo ...

'' Krause, 1992 *** Genus ''

Eucosmodon ''Eucosmodon'' is a genus of extinct mammal from the Paleocene of North America. It is a member of the extinct order of Multituberculata within the suborder of Cimolodonta, and the family Eucosmodontidae. This genus has partly also been known a ...

'' Matthew & Granger, 1921 *** Genus '' Stygimys'' Sloan & Van Valen, 1965 ** Family

Holtzman & Wolberg, 1977 (syn Microcosmodontinae Holtzman & Wolberg, 1977 McKenna & Bell, 1997) *** Genus ''

Pentacosmodon ''Pentacosmodon'' is a mammal genus from the Paleocene of North America, so it lived somewhat after the "age of the dinosaurs". It was a member of the extinct order Multituberculata. It's within the suborder Cimolodonta and family Microcosmodonti ...

'' Jepsen, 1940 *** Genus '' Acheronodon'' Archibald, 1982 *** Genus '' Microcosmodon'' Jepsen, 1930 * Superfamily

Kielan-Jaworowska & Hurum, 1997 sensu Kielan-Jaworowska & Hurum, 2001 (syn Djadochtatheria Kielan-Jaworowska & Hurum, 1997) ** Genus? ''

Bulganbaatar ''Bulganbaatar'' is a Central Asian mammal genus from the Upper Cretaceous. It existed in the company of dinosaurs. This animal was a member of the extinct order Multituberculata. It's within the suborder Cimolodonta and is a member of the sup ...

'' Kielan-Jaworowska, 1974 ** Genus? ''

Chulsanbaatar ''Chulsanbaatar'' is a genus of mammal from the Cretaceous of Mongolia. It lived during the Mesozoic, also known as the "age of the dinosaurs." This small creature was a member of the extinct order of Multituberculata and is within the suborde ...

'' Kielan-Jaworowska, 1974 ** Genus ''

Nemegtbaatar ''Nemegtbaatar'' is a genus of mammal from the Upper Cretaceous Period of what is now Mongolia. It existed in the company of much larger dinosaurs, found together in the Nemegt Basin. This creature was a member of the extinct order Multituber ...

'' Kielan-Jaworowska, 1974 ** Family Sloanbaataridae Kielan-Jaworowska, 1974 *** Genus ''

Kamptobaatar ''Kamptobaatar'' is a Mongolian mammal genus from the Upper Cretaceous. It lived at the same time as the later dinosaurs. This animal was a member of the extinct order Multituberculata within the suborder Cimolodonta and family Sloanbaatarid ...

'' Kielan-Jaworowska, 1970 *** Genus '' Nessovbaatar'' Kielan-Jaworowska & Hurum, 1997 *** Genus '' Sloanbaatar'' Kielan-Jaworowska, 1974 ** Family

Djadochtatheriidae Djadochtatheriidae is a family of fossil mammals within the extinct order Multituberculata. Remains are known from the Upper Cretaceous of Central Asia. These animals lived during the Mesozoic, also known as the "age of the dinosaurs". This famil ...

Kielan-Jaworowska & Hurum, 1997 *** Genus ''

Djadochtatherium ''Djadochtatherium'' is a mammal genus that lived in Mongolia during the Upper Cretaceous. It coexisted with some of the late dinosaurs. This animal was a member of the extinct order of Multituberculata. It is within the suborder of Cimolodon ...

'' Simpson, 1925 *** Genus ''

Catopsbaatar ''Catopsbaatar'' is a genus of multituberculate, an extinct order of rodent-like mammals. It lived in what is now Mongolia during the late Campanian age of the Late Cretaceous epoch, about 72 million years ago. The first fossils were colle ...

'' Kielan-Jaworowska, 1974 *** Genus ''

Tombaatar ''Tombaatar'' is a mammal genus that existed during the Mongolian Upper Cretaceous period. It co-existed with some of the late dinosaurs. This animal was a member of the extinct order Multituberculata, within the suborder Cimolodonta and famil ...

'' Kielan-Jaworowska, 1974 *** Genus ''

Kryptobaatar ''Kryptobaatar''and also known as ''Gobibaatar'' or ''Tugrigbaatar'' is an extinct mammalian genus dating from the Upper Cretaceous Period and identified in Central Asia. This animal was a member of the extinct order of Multituberculata within ...

'' Kielan-Jaworowska, 1970 (syn ''Gobibaatar'' Kielan-Jaworowska, 1970, ''Tugrigbaatar'' Kielan-Jaworowska & Dashzeveg, 1978) * Superfamily

Granger & Simpson, 1929 sensu Kielan-Jaworowska & Hurum, 2001 ** Genus '' Prionessus'' Matthew & Granger, 1925 ** Family

Taeniolabididae Taeniolabididae is one of the two multituberculate clades within Taeniolabidoidea. Originally basically synonymous with Taeniolabidoidea, it has more recently been found to be a specific clade including '' Kimbetopsalis'', '' Taeniolabis'' and so ...

Granger & Simpson, 1929 *** Genus '' Kimbetopsalis'' Sarah, 2015 *** Genus ''

Taeniolabis ''Taeniolabis'' ("banded incisor") is a genus of extinct multituberculate mammal from the Paleocene of North America. Description It is the largest known member of the extinct order Multituberculata, as well as the largest non-therian m ...

'' Cope, 1882 ** Family

Lambdopsalidae Lambdopsalidae is a family of extinct multituberculate mammals from the Late Paleocene of Asia. They are part of Taeniolabidoidea, a clade otherwise present in the Early Paleocene (and possibly the Late Cretaceous) of North America; lambdopsalids ...

*** Genus '' Sphenopsalis'' Matthew, Granger & Simpson, 1928 *** Genus '' Lambdopsalis'' Chow & Qi, 1978

References

* Kielan-Jaworowska Z. and Hurum J.H. (2001), "Phylogeny and Systematics of multituberculate mammals". ''Paleontology'' 44, p. 389-429. * Much of this information has been derived fro

Multituberculata Cope, 1884. {{Taxonbar, from=Q603912 Cimolodonts, Eocene extinctions Cretaceous first appearances