| Archaeoparadoxia | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Holotype mandible ofA. weltoni | |
Scientific classification | |
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Chordata |
| Class: | Mammalia |
| Order: | †Desmostylia |
| Family: | †Paleoparadoxiidae |
| Genus: | †Archaeoparadoxia Barnes, 2013 |
| Species | |
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| Synonyms | |
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Archaeoparadoxia is a genus ofdesmostylian mammal from lateOligoceneCalifornia.[1] The name derives from theArchaic Greek"archaio" (meaning "from the beginning") and the name of another genus of desmostylian,Paleoparadoxia.[2]
Archaeoparadoxia is relatively small compared to other desmostylians. Thelimb bones aregracile, and thecranium is small. Theholotype specimen is of asubadult, but it is speculated the individual was near adult size.Incisor morphology ofArchaeoparadoxia differs from that ofPaleoparadoxia andNeoparadoxia, as they are not flatteneddorsoventrally.[2]
Archaeoparadoxia is considered to be close to otherpaleoparadoxiids, such asNeoparadoxia andPaleoparadoxia.[2]Archaeoparadoxia was originally considered a species ofPaleoparadoxia,[3]P. weltoni, but the species was split onmorphological grounds.[2]
Phylogeny of Paleoparadoxiidae in accordance with Barnes (2011)[2];
