Yantanglestes fossil map
Where fossils of Yantanglestes 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 | 66–59.24 million years ago (Danian to Selandian) |
| Periods | Paleogene |
| Family | Mesonychidae |
| Named by | Ideker and Yan 1980 |
| Fossil records | 6 occurrences at 2 locations (PBDB) |
| Found in | China |
| Rock formations | Shanghu, Nongshan |
About Yantanglestes
Yantanglestes is a genus of small, Chinese mesonychid with slender jaws that first appeared during the Early Paleocene. It was found throughout Asia. It is the oldest known mesonychid. Yantanglestes became extinct during the Nongshanian division of the Middle Paleocene, and lived sympatrically with its descendant genera, including Dissacus, Sinonyx and Jiangxia.
Text in “About” is quoted from the Wikipedia article Yantanglestes (revision 1375209001), 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: Q3494426.
