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A Cretaceous hoofed mammal from India
G V R Prasad1, O Verma, A Sahni
1Department of Geology, University of Jammu, Jammu 180 006, India. guntupalli.vrprasad@gmail.com
Science (New York, N.Y.)
|November 10, 2007
Summary
A new archaic ungulate fossil, Kharmerungulatum vanvaleni, from India
Area of Science:
- Paleontology
- Vertebrate Paleontology
- Indian Paleogeography
Background:
- The northward drift of India provides a unique geological context for studying mammalian evolution.
- Understanding mammal dispersal and diversification is crucial for paleobiogeographic reconstructions.
Purpose of the Study:
- To report the discovery of a definitive Late Cretaceous archaic ungulate from India.
- To investigate the implications of this find for early ungulate origins and diversification.
Main Methods:
- Stratigraphic analysis of Deccan volcano-sedimentary sequences.
- Paleontological identification and description of fossil remains.
- Paleobiogeographic analysis of early ungulate distribution.
Main Results:
- Discovery of Kharmerungulatum vanvaleni, a new genus and species of archaic ungulate.
- Definitive Late Cretaceous (Maastrichtian) age for the fossil.
- Fossil recovered from volcano-sedimentary sequences near Kisalpuri village, Central India.
Conclusions:
- The discovery challenges existing hypotheses on early ungulate distribution.
- Raises three potential paleobiogeographic scenarios: cosmopolitan distribution, immigration from Western Asia, or Indian origin.
- Highlights the importance of the Indian subcontinent in early mammal evolution.
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