Arcticanodon dawsonae , a primitive new palaeanodont from the lower Eocene of Ellesmere Island, Canadian High Arctic

• Published in: Canadian Journal of Earth Sciences
• Main Authors: Rose, Kenneth D, Eberle, Jaelyn J, McKenna, Malcolm C
• Format: Article in Journal/Newspaper
• Language: English
• Published: Canadian Science Publishing 2004
• Subjects: General Earth and Planetary Sciences; Arctic; Nunavut; Ellesmere Island; Eureka; Eureka Sound
• Online Access: http://dx.doi.org/10.1139/e04-019; http://www.nrcresearchpress.com/doi/pdf/10.1139/e04-019

A new genus and species of palaeanodont, Arcticanodon dawsonae, is based on a single lower jaw fragment from lower Eocene (Wasatchian) strata of the Margaret Formation, Eureka Sound Group, on central Ellesmere Island, Nunavut. The new taxon is more derived than early Paleocene Escavadodontidae, but lacks derived traits of Metacheiromyidae. It is therefore most similar to primitive epoicotheriids, although the similarities are essentially in plesiomorphic features. Consequently, Arcticanodon dawsonae is classified as Palaeanodonta, incertae sedis, pending discovery of more complete specimens.