A gobiconodontid (Mammalia, Eutriconodonta) from the Early Cretaceous (Barremian) Wessex Formation of the Isle of Wight, Southern Britain

• DOI: 10.1111/j.1475-4983.2006.00564.x
• Publication Date: 2006-11-10T18:04:27Z
• Authors: STEVEN C. SWEETMAN
• Keywords: Wight; Mammal

Abstract: Bulk screening of Early Cretaceous (Barremian) strata the Wessex Formation, exposed in sections on south‐west and south‐east coasts Isle Wight, southern England, has resulted recovery mammal remains, first to be obtained from Wealden Group since early 1970s. The fauna comprises at least six taxa represented by isolated teeth addition, case an as yet undescribed spalacotheriid, a partial dentary. One teeth, distal premolar, is unique tricuspid, single‐rooted morphology represents British record Gobiconodontidae. Discovery gobiconodontid deposits Britain sheds further light palaeogeographical distribution apparently successful clade mammals together with occurrence earliest North Africa calls into question recent hypotheses concerning area origin Gobiconodontidae mechanisms dispersal therefrom.