Raphignathidae

Raphignathidae 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, Asia, and North America. The family is characterized by its small size, with most species being no larger than a mouse, and its unique dental structure, which includes a specialized grinding surface on the molars.

The earliest known members of the family are from the early Eocene, and they diversified rapidly during the middle Eocene, with numerous species appearing in the fossil record. However, by the late Eocene, the family began to decline, and by the end of the epoch, they had become extinct.

The exact evolutionary relationships of Raphignathidae are still a topic of debate among paleontologists. Some studies suggest that they may be closely related to the early primates, while others propose that they are more closely related to the early ungulates or even the early rodents. Regardless of their exact evolutionary position, Raphignathidae are an important group of mammals that provide insight into the early diversification of mammals and the evolution of their dental structures.