Trituberculata facts for kids

Trituberculates were an extinct group of mammals. They lived a very long time ago, from about 215 to 85 million years ago. Scientists know about them mostly from finding their fossil teeth. These animals were small and probably ate insects. They were also likely active at night.

Trituberculates are important because they are the ancestors of most modern mammals. This includes placental mammals (like humans and dogs) and marsupials (like kangaroos). The only modern mammals not descended from trituberculates are monotremes (like the platypus).

What's in a Name?

The name Trituberculata comes from their teeth. Their molar teeth had three main bumps, called tubercles or cusps. This is how scientists could tell them apart from other ancient animals.

Scientists are still studying trituberculates. They are not entirely sure if all animals called trituberculates belong to one single group. Some might be "true" early mammals. Others might be very close relatives to the group that includes modern mammals.

See also

In Spanish: Trituberculados para niños

Further Reading

• Kemp T.S. 2005. The origin and evolution of mammals. Oxford University Press. ISBN: 0-19-850760-7
• Kermack D.M. & K.A. 1984. The evolution of mammalian characters. London: Croom Helm. ISBN: 0-7099-1534-9
• Kielan-Jaworowska, Zofia; Cifelli, Richard L. & Luo, Zhe-Xi 2004. Mammals from the Age of Dinosaurs: origins, evolution, and structure. Columbia University Press, New York, 2004 ISBN: 0-231-11918-6.