Possible persistence of the morganucodontans in the Lower Cretaceous Purbeck Limestone Group (Dorset, England)

Abstract

‘Triconodonts’ are relatively rare in the new Purbeck Limestone Group mammal fauna, especially in comparison with the finds made in the nineteenth century in the same beds. However, besides some remains of the already known Triconodontidae, a new possible morganucodontan of uncertain familial affinities, Purbeckodon batei gen. et sp. nov., has been discovered, extending considerably the chronological range of the order while constituting another testimony to the vitality and diversity of Mesozoic mammals.