diaromeina

Diaromeina 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, particularly in the Paris Basin of France. Diaromeina is characterized by its small size, with body lengths ranging from 10 to 15 centimeters, and its primitive dental structure, which includes a single pair of upper incisors and a single pair of lower incisors, similar to those of early mammals.

The genus includes two species, Diaromeina parisiensis and Diaromeina minor. Diaromeina parisiensis is the type species and is known from a single fossil found in the Paris Basin. Diaromeina minor is known from several fossils found in the same region and is distinguished from Diaromeina parisiensis by its smaller size.

Diaromeina is considered to be a basal member of the order Rodentia, a group that includes modern rodents such as mice, rats, and squirrels. The genus is significant in the study of mammalian evolution because it provides insight into the early diversification of rodents and the evolution of their dental structure. Despite its small size and primitive features, Diaromeina is an important fossil record of the early evolution of mammals.