Higher classification Cynodont Order Therapsid | Suborder Cynodontia Phylum Chordata | |
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Clade EpicynodontiaHopson and Kitching, 2001 Lower classifications Mammal, Thrinaxodon, Hamster, Bear, Sloth | ||
Epicynodontia is a clade of cynodont therapsids that includes most cynodonts, including galesaurids, thrinaxodontids, and Eucynodontia. It was erected as a stem-based taxon by Hopson and Kitching (2001) and defined as the most inclusive clade containing Mammalia and excluding Procynosuchus, a Late Permian genus that is one of the most basal cynodonts.
Below is a cladogram from Ruta, Botha-Brink, Mitchell and Benton (2013) showing one hypothesis of cynodont relationships:
References
Epicynodontia Wikipedia(Text) CC BY-SA