kartioniden

Kartioniden, also known as the Kartionididae, are a family of small, primitive mammals that lived during the Late Cretaceous period, approximately 99 to 66 million years ago. They are one of the earliest known groups of mammals, and their fossils have been found in North America, Europe, and Asia. Kartioniden are characterized by their small size, typically weighing less than a kilogram, and their primitive dental structure, which includes a single pair of upper incisors and a single pair of lower incisors. Their molars are also relatively simple, with a single cusp. The family is divided into two genera: Kartionis and Eucosmodon. Kartionis is the more primitive of the two, with a more complete set of teeth and a more robust body. Eucosmodon, on the other hand, is smaller and has a more simplified dental structure. Kartioniden are believed to have been insectivorous, feeding on small insects and other invertebrates. Their small size and primitive features suggest that they were early members of the mammalian radiation that occurred during the Cretaceous and Paleogene periods. Despite their small size and primitive features, kartioniden played an important role in the evolution of mammals, helping to pave the way for the diverse array of mammals that exist today.