A nyctitheriid insectivore (Eulipotyphla, Mammalia) of Asian affinity from the early Eocene of India

A new nyctitheriid (Indonyctia cambayensis gen. et sp. nov.) is described from an early Eocene (similar to 55 Ma) marginal marine sequence (Cambay Shale) at Vastan Lignite Mine, Gujarat, western India. The new taxon is diagnosed by a unique combination of several characters including a single-rooted p2; a p4 with a tiny paraconid at the base but without a metaconid; weakly developed talonid basin; reduced p3 relative to p2 and p4; molar trigonid wider and much higher than talonid; hypoconulid nearly on midline; entoconid positioned anterolingual to hypoconulid; presence of precingulid and a larger and taller protoconid than metaconid. The Asian affinities of the Indian nyctitheriid are indicated by its structurally reduced, premolariform p4 with a weakly developed unicuspid talonid. In several respects, the Indian nyctitheriid is similar to Voltaia, a late Palaeocene taxon from Kazakhstan originally assigned to the Palaeoryctidae but later classified as a nyctitheriid. The presence of a nyctitheriid in the basal Eocene of India suggests a wider palaeogeographic distribution and complex dispersal of this Holarctic family. The Asian affinities of the Indian nyctitheriid suggest faunal exchanges between India and the Mainland Asia possibly via the Dras-Kohistan island arc around the Palaeocene-Eocene boundary (similar to 56 Ma).