An African Radiation of ‘Dryolestoidea’ (Donodontidae, Cladotheria) and its Significance for Mammalian Evolution

The Ksar Metlili Formation, from the Jurassic – Cretaceous transition (Tithonian Berriasian) of eastern High Atlas Mountains, Morocco, has yielded one richest microvertebrate assemblages Mesozoic Gondwana. With at least 19 species, mammaliaforms are particularly diverse. ‘Dryolestoidea’ most abundant and diverse; nevertheless, only Donodon perscriptoris Sigogneau-Russell, 1991a, monotypic Donodontidae, had been described so far. Here, we describe four new species three genera ‘dryolestoids’ deposits: minor sp. nov., Stylodens amerrukensis gen. et Anoualestes incidens Amazighodon orbis nov, all which included in Donodontidae based on their dental morphology. We present first phylogenetic analysis that incorporates five donodontid site into cladotherian phylogeny. Our provides evidence for paraphyly ‘Dryolestoidea’: Dryolestidae, ‘Paurodontidae’, Zatheria form a clade to exclusion South American Meridiolestida. Donodontids found be closer prototribosphenidans zatherians than any other ‘dryolestoid’ family more derived meridiolestidans. This topology refutes previous hypothesis meridiolestidans phylogenetically rooted among donodontids. also supports as an endemic African monophyletic group. close relationships donodontids suggest geographical origin possibly Africa or Gondwana instead Laurasia.