Meridiolestida
| Meridiolestida Temporal range: Turonian–Miocene (possibly extant) |
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| Four taxa: Leonardus, Mesungulatum, Barberenia and Austrotriconodon | |
| Scientific classification | |
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Chordata |
| Class: | Mammalia |
| Clade: | Holotheria |
| Clade: | Trechnotheria |
| Clade: | Cladotheria |
| Superorder: | †Dryolestoidea |
| Clade: |
†Meridiolestida Rougier, 2011 |
| Subdivisions | |
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See below |
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See below
Meridiolestida is a clade of non-therian mammals from South America and Africa, and potentially also Australia. It is generally classified within Dryolestida, barring one study recovering them as the sister taxa to spalacotheriid symmetrodonts. However, more recent studies have stuck to the dryolestoid interpretation. They differ from northern dryolestoids in the absence of a parastylar hook on the molariform teeth and the lack of a Meckelian groove.
A morphological study has suggested that marsupial moles might be living meridiolestidans rather than marsupials, noting inconsistency in genetic studies as well as morphological nigh-similarity with Necrolestes. This same study also claims Yalkaparidon is a meridiolestidan, albeit not exploring this in depth.
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