Ankstynus

Ankstynus is a genus of small, extinct mammals that lived during the Eocene epoch, approximately 56 to 34 million years ago. The genus is known from fossil remains found in Europe, particularly in the Paris Basin of France. Ankstynus is characterized by its small size, with body lengths ranging from 10 to 15 centimeters, and its primitive dental structure, which includes both incisors and molars.

The genus Ankstynus is significant in the study of early mammals because it provides insights into the evolution of dental structures and the diversity of small mammals during the Eocene. The fossils of Ankstynus have been found in association with other early mammals, suggesting that these animals may have coexisted in the same ecosystems.

The name Ankstynus is derived from the Greek words "ankystis," meaning "little," and "odous," meaning "tooth," reflecting the small size and dental characteristics of the genus. The type species, Ankstynus minutus, was described by paleontologist Louis Dollo in 1882 based on a partial skull and dentition found in the Paris Basin.

Despite its small size and primitive features, Ankstynus is an important fossil record that contributes to our understanding of the early evolution of mammals. Further discoveries and studies of Ankstynus and related genera will continue to shed light on the diversity and adaptations of early mammals.