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 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 ...

to the

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

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

order Order, ORDER or Orders may refer to: * Categorization, the process in which ideas and objects are recognized, differentiated, and understood * Heterarchy, a system of organization wherein the elements have the potential to be ranked a number of ...

Multituberculata. 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 n ...

-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", a

paraphyletic In taxonomy, a group is paraphyletic if it consists of the group's last common ancestor and most of its descendants, excluding a few monophyletic subgroups. The group is said to be paraphyletic ''with respect to'' the excluded subgroups. In ...

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 ag ...

, 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 assign ...

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 dur ...

, Taeniolabidoidea, 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 gen ...

. Additionally, and of uncertain affinities, are the families Cimolomyidae, Boffiidae, Eucosmodontidae, Kogaionidae, Microcosmodontidae and the two genera ''

Uzbekbaatar ''Uzbekbaatar'' is a genus of extinct mammal from the Upper Cretaceous of Uzbekistan. It was a member of the extinct order Multituberculata within the suborder Cimolodonta, though its further affinities are unclear. The genus was named by Kiel ...

'' and ''

Viridomys ''Viridomys'' is a genus of extinct mammal from the Upper Cretaceous of North America. It was a member of the extinct order of Multituberculata, and lived during the Mesozoic, also known as the "age of the dinosaurs." It's within the suborder o ...

''. More precise placement of these types awaits further discoveries and analysis.

Taxonomy

Suborder †Cimolodonta McKenna, 1975 * Superfamily '' Incertae sedis'' ** Family '' Incertae sedis'' *** Subfamily '' Incertae sedis'' **** Genus? ''

Ameribaatar ''Ameribaatar'' is an extinct mammal of the Late Cretaceous. It was a member of the also extinct order of Multituberculata. It lived in North America during the Mesozoic, also known as the "age of the dinosaurs". Whether it belongs to Plagiaulac ...

'' 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 subo ...

'' Eaton, 1995 **** Genus '' Cedaromys'' Eaton & Cifelli, 2001 **** Genus? ''

Dakotamys ''Dakotamys'' is a genus of extinct mammal that lived during the Upper Cretaceous. It shared the world with dinosaurs. This small creature was a member of the also extinct order Multituberculata within the suborder Cimolodonta and was a memb ...

'' Eaton, 1995; (Early Cretaceous, Central North America) **** Genus? '' Fractinus'' Higgins, 2003 **** Genus '' Halodon'' Marsh, 1889 **** Genus '' Ptilodus'' (Marsh, 1889) Gidley, 1909 **** Genus? ''

'' 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, ...

'' Rãdulescu & Samson, 1986 * "

" Archibald, 1982 ** Genus '' Paracimexomys'' 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 withi ...

'' Fox, 1971 ** Genus ''

'' Sloan & Van Valen, 1965 sensu stricto? * Family Boffiidae Hahn & Hahn, 1983 ** Genus '' Boffius'' Vianey-Liaud, 1979 * Family Cimolomyidae Marsh, 1889 sensu Kielan-Jaworowska & Hurum, 2001 ** Genus '' Essonodon'' Simpson, 1927 ** Genus '' Buginbaatar'' Kielan-Jaworowska & Sochava, 1969 ** Genus ''

Meniscoessus ''Meniscoessus'' is a genus of extinct mammal from the Upper Cretaceous Period of what is now North America. It was a member of the extinct order Multituberculata, lying within the suborder Cimolodonta and family Cimolomyidae. Taxonomy The ge ...

'' Cope, 1882 (syn. ''Dipriodon'' Marsh, 1889, ''Tripriodon'' Marsh, 1889, ''Selenacodon'' Marsh, 1889, ''Halodon'' Marsh, 1889, ''Oracodon'' Marsh, 1889) ** Genus '' Cimolomys'' 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 18 ...

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 f ...

'' Lemoine, 1882 *** Genus '' Essonodon'' 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 fa ...

'' 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 Cimo ...

'' 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 class ...

Cope, 1887 (syn Ptilodontinae Cope, 1887 sensu McKenna & Bell, 1997) *** Genus '' Kimbetohia'' Simpson, 1936 *** Genus '' Ptilodus'' Cope, 1881 (''Chirox'' Cope, 1884) *** Genus ''

Baiotomeus ''Baiotomeus'' is a genus of mammals from the extinct order of Multituberculata. It is known from the Paleocene of North America. The genus ''Baiotomeus'' was formally named by Krause in 1987 ( Krause, 1987), and has also been known as '' Mi ...

'' Krause, 1987 *** Genus ''

Prochetodon ''Prochetodon'' is a genus of mammals from the extinct order Multituberculata. It lived during the Upper Paleocene and the Lower Eocene in North America. The genus was formally named by G. L. Jepsen in 1940. ( Jepsen, 1940) ''P. cavus'' The s ...

'' 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 Asi ...

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 ...

'' 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 ...

'' 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, fam ...

'' 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 w ...

'' 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-Li ...

'' 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 spe ...

'' 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 Kogaionidae Rãdulescu & Samson, 1996 *** Genus ''

'' Rãdulescu & Samson, 1996 *** Genus ''

Hainina ''Hainina'' is an extinct mammal genus from the latest Cretaceous to the Paleocene of Europe. Genus The genus ''Hainina'' ("from Hainin") was named by Vianey-Liaud M. in 1979. This genus was originally referred to as Cimolomyidae. "We assign ...

'' Vianey-Liaud, 1979 *** Genus '' Kogaionon'' Rãdulescu & Samson, 1996 ** Family Eucosmodontidae Jepsen, 1940 sensu Kielan-Jaworowska & Hurum, 2001 (syn. Eucosmodontinae Jepsen, 1940 sensu McKenna & Bell, 1997) *** Genus '' Clemensodon'' 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 ...

'' Matthew & Granger, 1921 *** Genus ''

Stygimys ''Stygimys'' is an extinct mammal genus from the Upper Cretaceous and Paleocene of North America. It was a member of the extinct order Multituberculata within the suborder Cimolodonta, family Eucosmodontidae. The genus ''Stygimys'' ("Styx mous ...

'' Sloan & Van Valen, 1965 ** Family Microcosmodontidae 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 ''Acheronodon'' is a genus of herbivorous arboreal mammal which belongs to the family Microcosmodontidae and which was endemic to North America during the Early Paleocene subepoch (66—56.8 mya) and in existence for approximately . It is a mem ...

'' Archibald, 1982 *** Genus ''

Microcosmodon ''Microcosmodon'' is a mammal genus from the Paleocene of North America. It was a member of the extinct order Multituberculata, and lies within the suborder Cimolodonta and family Microcosmodontidae. The genus ''Microcosmodon'' was named by G.L. ...

'' 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 ...

'' 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 suborder ...

'' 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 Multitubercu ...

'' Kielan-Jaworowska, 1974 ** Family

Sloanbaataridae Sloanbaataridae is a family of fossil mammals within the extinct order Multituberculata. Remains are known from the Upper Cretaceous of Mongolia. These small herbivores lived during the "age of the dinosaurs". This family is part of the suborder ...

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 Sloanbaataridae. ...

'' Kielan-Jaworowska, 1970 *** Genus ''

Nessovbaatar ''Nessovbaatar'' is a genus of extinct mammal from the Upper Cretaceous of Mongolia. It eked out its living in the company of Central Asian dinosaurs. This animal was a member of the extinct order Multituberculata within the suborder Cimolodo ...

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

Sloanbaatar ''Sloanbaatar'' is a mammal genus that lived in Mongolia during the Upper Cretaceous. It lived at the same time as the dinosaurs. This animal was a member of the also extinct order Multituberculata within the suborder Cimolodonta and the family ...

'' 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 fam ...

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 Cimolodonta ...

'' Simpson, 1925 *** Genus '' Catopsbaatar'' 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 f ...

'' 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 Taeniolabidoidea Granger & Simpson, 1929 sensu Kielan-Jaworowska & Hurum, 2001 ** Genus ''

Prionessus ''Prionessus'' is a genus of extinct mammal from the Paleocene of Central Asia. It was a member of the extinct order Multituberculata within the suborder Cimolodonta and superfamily Taeniolabidoidea. The genus was named by Matthew W.D. and Gran ...

'' 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 som ...

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 mamm ...

'' 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 ''Sphenopsalis'' is a genus of extinct mammal from the Paleocene of Central Asia. It was a member of the extinct order Multituberculata, and lies within the suborder Cimolodonta and the superfamily Taeniolabidoidea. The genus was named by Willia ...

'' Matthew, Granger & Simpson, 1928 *** Genus ''

Lambdopsalis ''Lambdopsalis bulla'' is an extinct multituberculate mammal from the Late Paleocene of China and Mongolia. It is placed within the suborder Cimolodonta and is a member of the superfamily Taeniolabidoidea. Fossil remains have been found in the ...

'' 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