| Simpsonotus | |
|---|---|
Scientific classification | |
| Domain: | Eukaryota |
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Chordata |
| Class: | Mammalia |
| Order: | †Notoungulata |
| Family: | †Henricosborniidae |
| Genus: | †Simpsonotus Pascual et al. 1978 |
| Type species | |
| †Simpsonotus praecursor Pascual et al. 1978 | |
| Species | |
| |
Simpsonotus is an extinctgenus ofnotoungulatemammals in the familyHenricosborniidae from theMiddle toLate Paleocene of South America. Fossils of the genus have been found in theMealla Formation, afluvial andlacustrine sedimentary unit of theSalta Basin innorthwesternArgentina.[1][2] The genus name honors paleontologistGeorge Gaylord Simpson.
Simpsonotus had a skull similar toNotostylops, but with a shorter and rounder face. The genus contains two species; thetype speciesS. praecursor,[3] and the double-sizedS. major,[4] both described by Pascual et al. in 1978.[5]
The Mealla Formation was initially described asRiochican in theSouth American land mammal age classification, and later asItaboraian, but after the redefinition of theItaboraí Formation toEarly Eocene, the Mealla Formation isPeligran in age.
