erisymbolid

Erisymbolid is a genus 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 North America and Europe. Erisymbolids are characterized by their small size, typically ranging from 10 to 20 centimeters in length, and their unique dental structure. They had a single pair of upper incisors and a single pair of lower incisors, which were adapted for gnawing and possibly for digging.

Erisymbolids are believed to have been insectivorous, feeding on a diet of insects and other small invertebrates. Their small size and specialized dental structure suggest that they may have inhabited burrows or other sheltered environments. The genus Erisymbolus is the type genus of the family Erisymbolidae, which includes several other genera of small, extinct mammals from the Eocene.

Erisymbolids are of interest to paleontologists because they provide insights into the evolution of mammals during the Eocene, a time of significant diversification and adaptation. Their unique dental structure and small size make them a distinct and fascinating group of extinct mammals.