Taeniodonts

Taeniodonts are a group of extinct mammals that lived during the Paleogene period, approximately 66 to 23 million years ago. They are characterized by their unique dental structure, which includes a single, large, continuously growing tooth in the upper jaw, known as the taeniodont. This tooth is adapted for shearing and cutting plant material, suggesting that taeniodonts were herbivorous.

Taeniodonts are known from fossils found in North America, Europe, and Asia. They are believed to have been small to medium-sized mammals, with body sizes ranging from that of a modern-day rabbit to a small deer. Their overall body structure is not well understood, but they are thought to have been agile and adapted for a semi-arboreal lifestyle.

The taeniodont tooth is unique among mammals, as it is the only known example of a continuously growing tooth in the upper jaw. This tooth is composed of multiple layers of enamel, which are shed and replaced as the tooth grows. The taeniodont tooth is also characterized by its complex structure, with multiple cusps and grooves that are adapted for shearing and cutting plant material.

Taeniodonts are believed to have gone extinct at the end of the Eocene epoch, around 34 million years ago. The cause of their extinction is not well understood, but it is thought to have been related to changes in climate and vegetation.