NEW DRYOLESTOID MAMMALS FROM THE BASAL CRETACEOUS PURBECK LIMESTONE GROUP OF SOUTHERN ENGLAND

The dryolestoid mammal Dorsetodon haysomi gen. et sp. nov. is describe d from the Purbeck Limestone Group (Lower Cretaceous) of southern Engl and, on the basis of lower molars. Dorsetodon is assigned to the Pauro dontidae, a family of Theria previously known only from North America. The distinction between Paurodontidae and Henkelotheriidae (from the Upper Jurassic of Portugal), although maintained for lack of solid con trary data, is argued to have been based on variable or subjective cha racters. A further small mammal, Chunnelodon alopekodes gen, et sp. no v., representing an undetermined cladotherian family, is also describe d from lower molar teeth. The non-procumbent paraconid on the lower mo lar places Chunnelodon as a sister-taxon to the Laurasian Dryolestoide a.