Notopithecidae

Notopithecidae is a family of typotherine notoungulates known from Paleogene deposits of the San [Juan Formation, Argentina]. The name of the clade derives from an error, Florentino Ameghino assumed the namesake of the family, Notopithecus, was a primate.

Description

Notopithecids had low crowned teeth and relatively underived dentition when compared to later typotheres. They had brachyodont molars. They most likely walked plantigrade, indicated by an astragalar foramen and a shallow and asymmetric trochela.

Classification

Notopithecidae has had some debate as to whether it is even a valid family, occasionally being placed within Interatheriidae. However, most literature supports Notopithecidae being its own family.