Suborder Cimolodonta

This suborder contains the more derived multituberculates, from the lower Cretaceous to the Eocene.

Overall, these multituberculates are distinguished by their loss of one of the incisors and two premolars. A third premolar becomes a peg-like tooth with little function.

Skull shape variation within the Cimolodonta: comparison of Ptilodus, Taeniolabis and Kryptobaatar skulls

Variation in skull shape within the Cimolodonta. Ptilodus belongs to the Ptilodontoidea, Taeniolabis to the Taeniolabidoidea and Kryptobaatar to the Djadochtatherioidea. (from http://www.baa.duke.edu/weillab/multis/multis.htm)

The suborder can be divided into six superfamilies:

Paracimexomys group. This is an informal group known mainly from isolated teeth.

superfamily Djadochtatherioidea. The multituberculates belonging to this superfamily were relatively large. The frontal bones of the skull (between the eyes) are quite large. The back of the skull is longer than in other multituberculates.

superfamily incertae sedis, families Cimolomyidae, Eucosmodontidae, Microcosmontidae.

superfamily Taeniolabidoidea. The largest multituberculates belonged to this superfamily. They had a short snout and very wide cheekbones, making the skull quite square. They were different in having had only one premolar, separated from the front teeth by a long gap. The incisors were strong and self-sharpening like in rodents today.

superfamily incertae sedis, family Kogaionidae and genera Uzbekbaatar and Viridomys.

superfamily Ptilodontoidea. The lower incisors are slender; the fourth premolar is very large. The enamel on the teeth were ornamented. They had a wide snout.

Back to Major subgroups Suborder Palgiaulacida Suborder Cimolodonta

Author: Aude Caromel
Last updated: 20/11/06
Return to Fossil groups home page

Websites produced by students on the MSc Palaeobiology programme in the Department of Earth Sciences at the University of Bristol for academic year 2006-7