Azilestes fossil map
Where fossils of Azilestes have been found, shown on the Earth as it looked about 66 million years ago and on today’s map.
Dots are fossil collections recorded in the Paleobiology Database. The “then” view moves today’s fossil sites back to their positions 66 million years ago (the time slice nearest the median age of the fossils) using the Merdith et al. (2021) plate model; positions are approximate. Open on the timeline map →
| Group | Early mammals |
|---|---|
| Lived | 72.2–66 million years ago (Maastrichtian) |
| Periods | Cretaceous |
| Family | Zhelestidae |
| Named by | Gheerbrant and Teodori 2021 |
| Fossil records | 2 occurrences at 1 locations (PBDB) |
| Found in | France |
| Rock formations | Grès de Labarre |
About Azilestes
Azilestes ("Mas-d'Azil robber") is a genus of probable zhelestid eutherian mammal, a family consisting of small herbivores, that was discovered in the early Maastrichtian Grès de Labarre Formation of France. It is a monotypic genus, with only type species A. ragei being known. Only one specimen, the holotype described in 2021, is known. It consists of a partial dentary with teeth.
Certain aspects of Azilestes's dental anatomy are heavily convergent with later groups of herbivorous mammals, including Glires, though phylogenetic analysis suggests a position within the Zhelestidae. It possesses bunodont molars, enlarged postfossids and hypoconids, an interradicular crest and radicular grooves, a unique combination among Cretaceous eutherians.
Text in “About” is quoted from the Wikipedia article Azilestes (revision 1294601285), licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0; introduction excerpted verbatim, formatting removed. Ages, family, authority and fossil records: Paleobiology Database, accessed 23 October 2026. Ages are those of the rock layers the fossils were found in. Wikidata: Q106610566.
