Otallennuses

Otallennuses 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 and North America. Otallennuses is characterized by its small size, with body lengths ranging from 10 to 20 centimeters, and its primitive dental structure, which includes both incisors and molars. The genus is named after the type species, Otallennus minor, which was first described by paleontologist George Gaylord Simpson in 1945.

Otallennuses is classified within the order Insectivora, which includes modern-day mammals such as shrews, moles, and hedgehogs. However, the genus is considered to be a basal member of the order, meaning it is one of the earliest diverging lineages within Insectivora. This is supported by its primitive dental structure and other anatomical features.

The fossil record of Otallennuses is relatively limited, with only a few species described to date. However, the genus is of significant interest to paleontologists due to its early divergence within the order Insectivora and its potential to shed light on the evolution of modern-day insectivores. Further fossil discoveries are likely to provide additional insights into the biology and ecology of this extinct genus.