Myelooiensis

Myelooiensis is a genus of small, extinct mammals that lived during the Early Cretaceous period, approximately 125 million years ago. The genus is known from a single species, Myelooiensis wimani, which was discovered in the Early Cretaceous deposits of the Karoo Basin in South Africa. The genus name is derived from the Greek words "myelos" meaning "marrow" and "oiō" meaning "to see," reflecting the fossil's significance in understanding the early evolution of mammals. Myelooiensis is notable for its small size, estimated to be around 10 centimeters in length, and its primitive dental morphology, which includes a single pair of upper incisors and a single pair of lower incisors, similar to those of modern mammals. The fossil includes a nearly complete skull and mandible, providing valuable insights into the early evolution of mammalian dentition and skull structure. Myelooiensis is considered one of the earliest known mammals, and its discovery has contributed to our understanding of the transition from non-mammalian synapsids to true mammals.