Polydolopimorphia is an extinct order of
metatherians, closely related to extant
marsupials. Known from the
Paleocene-
Pliocene of
South America and the
Eocene of
Antarctica, they were a diverse group during the Paleogene, filling many niches, before declining and becoming extinct at the end of the
Neogene.[1] It is divided into two suborders, Bonapartheriiformes, and Polydolopiformes [2] Most members are only known from jaw fragments, which have their characteristically generally
bunodont teeth.[3] The morphology of their teeth has led to proposals that polydolopimorphians may be crown group marsupials, nested within
Australidelphia,[4] though this proposal, has been questioned, with other analyses finding them outside of crown-group Marsupialia.[3] The
monophyly of the group has been questioned, due to the possiblity of the characteristic bunodont teeth emerging
convergently in unrelated groups, rather than reflecting a true
phylogenetic relationship.[5] The group contained
omnivorous,
frugivorous and
herbivorous forms.[4]
Taxonomy
Taxonomical subdivision of the Polydolopimorphia:[6]
^Chornogubsky, Laura; Goin, Francisco J. (2015). "A review of the molar morphology and phylogenetic affinities of Sillustania quechuense(Metatheria, Polydolopimorphia, Sillustaniidae), from the early Paleogene of Laguna Umayo, southeastern Peru". Journal of Vertebrate Paleontology. 35 (6): e983238.
doi:
10.1080/02724634.2015.983238.
hdl:11336/46844.
ISSN0272-4634.
S2CID86106580.