First record of insectivore from the late Oligocene, Kargil Formation (Ladakh Molasse Group), Ladakh Himalayas

2022/06/18 by Wasim Abass Wazir, Florentin Cailleux, Ramesh Kumar Sehgal +3 · 1 citation
Earth and Planetary Sciences · Agricultural and Biological Sciences · Environmental Science · #Evolution and Paleontology Studies #Bat Biology and Ecology Studies #Animal Ecology and Behavior Studies

paper · pdf · doi:10.1016/j.jaesx.2022.100105

openalex publication_date 2022/06/18 · openalex created_date 2025/10/10 · openalex updated_date 2026/08/04

Abstract

The Kargil Formation in the region of Ladakh (northern India) is known for its late Oligocene mammal fauna of both large mammals and rodents. New excavations in the area yielded a maxillary fragment of an insectivore with three premolars and two roots of a canine. The fossil record of the insectivores on the Indian subcontinent is as yet scanty. Based on the peculiar morphology of the last premolar, the Ladakh fossil could be identified as belonging to a new species of Erinaceinae, Ladakhechinus iugummontis n. gen. n. sp. The new find confirms the large diversity among hedgehogs in Asia during the Oligocene.

Citations

• How many species of mammals are there?

Cited by

• 2022 in paleomammalogy [wikipedia]

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