TAXONOMY AND AFFINITIES OF AFRICAN CENOZOIC METATHERIANS

The record of extinct African metatherians (Mammalia, Theria) is scanty, restricted in time (Eocene–Miocene), and its taxonomy still subject debate. A review all metatherians, or alleged known up to now, led us the recognition only three taxa referable this group: (1)  Kasserinotherium tunisiense  (Peradectoidea?), from early Eocene Tunisia; (2)  Peratherium africanum  (Herpetotheriidae), Oligocene Egypt Oman, (3) an indeterminate Herpetotheriidae? Miocene Uganda. Herpetotheriids probably reached Afro-Arabia Europe one more dispersal waves since Oligocene.  , on contrary, suggests earlier (Paleocene) arrival South America, judging affinities with American Australian taxa. Such a migration event (probably, through filter corridor such as Rio Grande Rise-Walvis Ridge system Atlantic) may also explain enigmatic presence polydolopimorphian Cenozoic central Anatolia (Turkey). radical hypothesis that European (Eurasian?) Marsupialiformes have ultimate origin where they dispersed via Africa by Paleocene–earliest Eocene.