On the way from Asia to America: eutriconodontan mammals from the Early Cretaceous of Yakutia, Russia

Abstract

Eutriconodonta are an important group of early crown mammals with a wide distribution in the Jurassic-Cretaceous of the Northern Hemisphere and few occurrences in the Southern Hemisphere. Three taxa of eutriconodontans are known from the Early Cretaceous high-latitude Teete vertebrate assemblage in Yakutia, Russia: Sangarotherium aquilonium (Eutriconodonta incertae sedis), Gobiconodon sp. A (large), and Gobiconodon sp. B (small) (Gobiconodontidae). These three taxa are based on four specimens and indicate a remarkable taxonomic diversity of eutriconodontans at this locality. The coexistence of two Gobiconodon species, large and small, is characteristic for several Early Cretaceous vertebrate assemblages in Asia. Gobiconodon sp. A from the Teete locality is the largest species of this genus known from Asia, but is smaller than the North American G. ostromi. The spreading of Gobiconodon from Asia to North America likely occurred during the Aptian-Albian faunal dispersal event. The discovery of Gobiconodon in the Teete locality is further evidence for a dispersal route via Beringia from Asia to North America which previously has been postulated based on the occurrence of Asian dinosaur taxa in western North America at this time. The questionable record of Gobiconodon from Europe and its lack from eastern North America make a dispersal from Asia to North America via Europe less probable.