Klinitsistidae

Klinitsistidae is a family of small, extinct mammals that lived during the Eocene epoch, approximately 56 to 34 million years ago. They are known from fossil remains found in Europe and North America. Klinitsistidae is characterized by its small size, with most species being less than 10 centimeters in length. They had a slender body, short limbs, and a long, pointed snout, which suggests they were likely insectivorous.

The family is named after the genus Klinitsa, which was first described in 1975 from fossils found in the Klondike region of Canada. Other genera within the family include Ectoconus, which is known from fossils found in Europe, and Paraklinitsa, which is known from fossils found in North America. Klinitsistidae is considered to be a basal member of the order Insectivora, which includes modern-day mammals such as shrews, moles, and hedgehogs.

The fossil record of Klinitsistidae is relatively limited, and much of what is known about the family comes from a few well-preserved specimens. However, recent discoveries have shed new light on the diversity and evolution of this extinct group of mammals. Klinitsistidae is an important example of how the study of extinct mammals can provide insights into the evolution of modern-day mammals.