Pholidotamorpha ("pangolin-like forms") is a clade of
placental mammals from mirorder
Ferae that includes the order
Pholidota (the pangolins) and extinct order
Palaeanodonta.[1]
Classification and phylogeny
History of taxonomy
In the past both orders, Pholidota and Palaeanodonta, were formerly classified with various other orders of ant-eating mammals, most notably
Xenarthra (
armadillos,
sloths and true
anteaters) which they superficially resemble. Some
palaeontologists in past placed pangolins and palaeanodonts as a suborder "Pholidota" in order
Cimolesta, alongside the extinct family
Ernanodontidae as a separate suborder Ernanodonta near it, though this idea has fallen out of favor since it was determined that cimolestids were not placental mammals.[2]
However, newer genetic evidence indicates the closest living relatives to order Pholidota are the members of order
Carnivora, and together they form the mirorder
Ferae.[3][4][5] In 2009, pangolins and palaeanodonts were together placed within clade Pholidotamorpha.[1] A 2012 study from new remains found in Late
PaleoceneMongolian strata have led to the assessment that extinct genus Ernanodon is closely related to extinct genus Metacheiromys and being a member of the extinct order
Palaeanodonta.[6]
^Rook, D. L.; Hunter, J. P. (2013). "Rooting Around the Eutherian Family Tree: the Origin and Relations of the Taeniodonta". Journal of Mammalian Evolution. 21: 1–17.
doi:
10.1007/s10914-013-9230-9.
S2CID17074668.