Laurasiatheria

Laurasiatheria, meaning "Lurasian beasts," is a special group of mammals called a superorder. It includes many animals we know, like true insectivores, bats, carnivores such as dogs and cats, pangolins, even-toed ungulates like cows and pigs, and odd-toed ungulates like horses.

Scientists found this group by studying the similar genes these animals share. Even though these animals look very different, they are connected through their DNA. This group started on the northern supercontinent called Laurasia after it split from another landmass named Gondwana millions of years ago. The last common ancestor of all Laurasiatheria lived between about 76 to 90 million years ago. Scientists use special tools to study these connections by looking at DNA and certain genetic markers.

Etymology

The name "Laurasiatheria" means these mammals began on an old land called Laurasia. Other old mammals called Gondwanatheria lived on a different land named Gondwana.

Classification and phylogeny

Scientists are still learning about the family tree of laurasiatherians. This group includes animals like bats, carnivores, and hoofed mammals. For a long time, bats were thought to belong with primates and other climbing animals. But newer studies show that bats are actually more closely related to other laurasiatherians. These studies suggest that bats, pangolins, carnivores, and euungulates share a common ancestor. They also show that insect-eating mammals might be the closest relatives to all other laurasiatherians.

The family tree of laurasiatherians has been studied using DNA, proteins, and fossil evidence.