Orthotilians
Orthotilians are a group of extinct mammals that lived during the Paleogene period, approximately 66 to 23 million years ago. They are characterized by their straight, non-retractile claws, which is reflected in their name, derived from the Greek words "orthos" meaning straight, and "tilos" meaning claw. Orthotilians are believed to have been the ancestors of modern ungulates, such as horses, deer, and cattle.
The earliest known orthotilians appeared in North America during the Paleocene epoch. They were small, insectivorous
Orthotilians are known from fossils found in North America, Europe, and Asia. They are classified into several
Despite their importance in the evolution of modern ungulates, orthotilians are not well-represented in the fossil