Laurasiatheres

Laurasiatheres is a superorder of placental mammals. Its name refers to its origin in Laurasia, a prehistoric supercontinent that existed during the Mesozoic Era. This diverse group includes a wide range of familiar animals. Key extant (currently living) orders within Laurasiatheria include Artiodactyla (even-toed ungulates like pigs, hippos, deer, and cattle), Cetacea (whales and dolphins), Carnivora (dogs, cats, bears, seals), Perissodactyla (odd-toed ungulates like horses and rhinoceroses), Chiroptera (bats), and Eulipotyphla (formerly Insectivora, which includes hedgehogs, shrews, and moles). The fossil record provides evidence for the evolutionary history and relationships within this superorder. Genetic and morphological studies have been crucial in establishing the phylogenetic placement of Laurasiatheria and its constituent members. The group is characterized by certain shared anatomical and genetic traits, though the vast diversity of its members means that these traits can be quite varied. The evolutionary success of Laurasiatheres is evident in their wide distribution across most terrestrial and aquatic environments on Earth.