syn_novataxa: [PaleoMammalogy • 2025] Novaculadon mirabilis • A new multituberculate (Mammalia: Allotheria: Plagiaulacidae) from the Lulworth Formation (Cretaceous, Berriasian) of Dorset, England

[PaleoMammalogy • 2025] Novaculadon mirabilis • A new multituberculate (Mammalia: Allotheria: Plagiaulacidae) from the Lulworth Formation (Cretaceous, Berriasian) of Dorset, England

Novaculadon mirabilis

Weston, Sweetman, Kean, Wood, Martill & Smith, 2025

DOI: doi.org/10.1016/j.pgeola.2025.101128

Abstract

A new genus and species of plagiaulacid multituberculate (Mammalia, Allotheria, Multituberculata) is described from the Cherty Freshwater Beds, Warbarrow Tout Member of the Lower Cretaceous Lulworth Formation of the Purbeck Group, Dorset, United Kingdom. The new taxon is represented by a complete, well preserved left dentary containing the incisor, p2–4, with alveoli for m1–2. This new specimen is the most complete multituberculate material yet recovered from the Purbeck Group. It is also the first mammal to be recovered from the so-called ‘Flint Bed’ (DB97).

Keywords: Mammalia, Multituberculata, Early Cretaceous, Purbeck Group, United Kingdom

Holotype left dentary of Novaculadon mirabilis gen. et sp. nov. NHMUK PV M 119716 from the Lulworth Formation, Purbeck Group at Durlston Bay.
In: A, buccal view; and B, lingual view. Scale bar represents 5 mm.

Images of 3D model generated from XCT scans of the holotype left dentary of Novaculadon mirabilis gen. et sp. nov. NHMUK PV M 119716 from the Lulworth Formation, Purbeck Group at Durlston Bay.
In: A, buccal view; B, lingual view; C, occlusal view; D, ventral view; E, anterior view; and F, posterior view. Scale bar represents 5 mm.

Systematic palaeontology

Mammalia Linnaeus, 1758

Allotheria Marsh, 1880

Multituberculata Cope, 1884

Plagiaulacida Simpson, 1925 (nomen correctum McKenna, 1971 ex Plagiaulacoidea, Ameghino, 1889)

Plagiaulacoidea Hahn and Hahn, 2004

Plagiaulacidae Gill, 1872 (synonym: Bolodontidae Osborn, 1887)

Novaculadon gen. nov.

Etymology. From the Latin novācula, razor, and don, from the Greek οδóς (odós) meaning teeth. Pertaining to the sharp occlusal crest formed by the premolar series.

Novaculadon mirabilis gen. et sp. nov.

Etymology. From the Latin mīrābilis, miraculous. An allusion to the exceptional preservation of the holotype.

Artist’s restoration of Novaculadon mirabilis gen. et sp. nov.

Artwork by Hamzah Imran.

Benjamin T. Weston, Steven C. Sweetman, Jake Kean, Charles Wood, David M. Martill and Roy E. Smith. 2025. A new multituberculate (Mammalia, Allotheria) from the Lulworth Formation (Cretaceous, Berriasian) of Dorset, England. Proceedings of the Geologists' Association. In Press, 101128. DOI: doi.org/10.1016/j.pgeola.2025.101128 [9 July 2025]