taxonID	type	format	identifier	references	title	description	created	creator	contributor	publisher	audience	source	license	rightsHolder	datasetID
03E487FEFFCAFF85CCDC9A30ACE3276B.taxon	http://purl.org/dc/dcmitype/StillImage	image/png	https://zenodo.org/record/13774725/files/figure.png	https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.13774725	Figure 4. Right upper molars of Litopterna in occlusal view.A, M3 of Polymorphis ligatus (holotype, MLP 12-2169). B, M3 of Polymorphis? (AMNH-VP 29481). C, M2? of Polyacrodon lanciformis Roth, 1899 [MLP 12-2170 (mirrored)]. D, P1–M3 of Cramauchenia normalis (MLP 85-VII-3-38a). E, P1–M3 of Theosodon garretorum (FMNH P 13175). F, P5–M3 of Proectocion precisus (holotype; MACN A 10679). G, P2– M3 of Tricoelodus bicuspidatus [cast of MLP 61-IV-11-65 (P2–P4 mirrored)]. H, M3 of Proectocion argentinus (holotype; MACN A 10673). I, M1 of Lambdaconus suinus [MNHN.F.DES162 (mirrored)]. J, P1–M3 of Diadiaphorus majusculus (MLP 12-304). K, P4–M3 of Lambdaconus suinus (MACN A 52-198; P4 was mirrored). L, M1–M3 of Victorlemoinea prototypica (AMNH-VP 111963, M1 (cast of MNRJ specimen); cast of MNRJ 1470V, M2 (holotype; mirrored); cast of MNRJ 1472V, M3 (mirrored). M, M1–M3 of Paranisolambda prodromus (cast of DGM 304M, M1; cast of DGM 310M, M2–M3). N, P4–M3 ofAnisolambda sp. (MLP 59-II-28-68, P4-P5 (mirrored); MLP 59-II-24-453, M1; MNHN.F.CAS 486, M2 (mirrored); MNHN.F.CAS488, M3 (mirrored). O, P5? of Wainka tshotshe (holotype; AMNH VP-28505 (mirrored). Relevant anatomical features of the dentition are labelled. Taxa with two prehypocristae are numbered from buccal (phyc1) to lingual (phyc2). When there are two cristae originating from the same cusp, they are numbered. More information on the specimens and observations are in Supporting information, File S2. For information about the tooth position convention, check the Material and methods. Abbreviations: hy, hypocone; hys, hypostyle; me, metacone; ms, mesostyle; mtl, metaconule; pa, paracone; phyc, prehypocrista; pmc, premetacrista; pmlc, premetaconular crista; pplc, preparaconular crista; pr, protocone; prl, paraconule; prt, protostyle; psmlc, postmetaconular crista; psplc, postparaconular crista; psprc, postprotocrista. Scale bars equal 1 cm.	Figure 4. Right upper molars of Litopterna in occlusal view.A, M3 of Polymorphis ligatus (holotype, MLP 12-2169). B, M3 of Polymorphis? (AMNH-VP 29481). C, M2? of Polyacrodon lanciformis Roth, 1899 [MLP 12-2170 (mirrored)]. D, P1–M3 of Cramauchenia normalis (MLP 85-VII-3-38a). E, P1–M3 of Theosodon garretorum (FMNH P 13175). F, P5–M3 of Proectocion precisus (holotype; MACN A 10679). G, P2– M3 of Tricoelodus bicuspidatus [cast of MLP 61-IV-11-65 (P2–P4 mirrored)]. H, M3 of Proectocion argentinus (holotype; MACN A 10673). I, M1 of Lambdaconus suinus [MNHN.F.DES162 (mirrored)]. J, P1–M3 of Diadiaphorus majusculus (MLP 12-304). K, P4–M3 of Lambdaconus suinus (MACN A 52-198; P4 was mirrored). L, M1–M3 of Victorlemoinea prototypica (AMNH-VP 111963, M1 (cast of MNRJ specimen); cast of MNRJ 1470V, M2 (holotype; mirrored); cast of MNRJ 1472V, M3 (mirrored). M, M1–M3 of Paranisolambda prodromus (cast of DGM 304M, M1; cast of DGM 310M, M2–M3). N, P4–M3 ofAnisolambda sp. (MLP 59-II-28-68, P4-P5 (mirrored); MLP 59-II-24-453, M1; MNHN.F.CAS 486, M2 (mirrored); MNHN.F.CAS488, M3 (mirrored). O, P5? of Wainka tshotshe (holotype; AMNH VP-28505 (mirrored). Relevant anatomical features of the dentition are labelled. Taxa with two prehypocristae are numbered from buccal (phyc1) to lingual (phyc2). When there are two cristae originating from the same cusp, they are numbered. More information on the specimens and observations are in Supporting information, File S2. For information about the tooth position convention, check the Material and methods. Abbreviations: hy, hypocone; hys, hypostyle; me, metacone; ms, mesostyle; mtl, metaconule; pa, paracone; phyc, prehypocrista; pmc, premetacrista; pmlc, premetaconular crista; pplc, preparaconular crista; pr, protocone; prl, paraconule; prt, protostyle; psmlc, postmetaconular crista; psplc, postparaconular crista; psprc, postprotocrista. Scale bars equal 1 cm.	2024-09-07	Püschel, Hans P.;Shelley, Sarah L.;Williamson, Thomas E.;Perini, Fernando A.;Wible, John R.;Brusatte, Stephen L.		Zenodo	biologists	Püschel, Hans P.;Shelley, Sarah L.;Williamson, Thomas E.;Perini, Fernando A.;Wible, John R.;Brusatte, Stephen L.			
03E487FEFFCAFF85CCDC9A30ACE3276B.taxon	http://purl.org/dc/dcmitype/StillImage	image/png	https://zenodo.org/record/13774729/files/figure.png	https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.13774729	Figure 5. Right lower molars of Litopterna in occlusal view.A, p1–p4 of Polymorphis lechei [holotype; MLP 12-2168 (mirrored)]. B, p1–m3 of Cramauchenia normalis [MNHN.F.COL181 (mirrored)]. C, m3 of Cramauchenia normalis (AMNH-VP 29753). D, p1–m3 of Theosodon lydekkeri [MACN A 24-90 (mirrored)]. E, m2–m3 of Proectocion sp. (MLP 59-II-28-107). F, p5–m3 of Tricoelodus bicuspidatus (MACN A 52-203, p5–m2 (holotype); cast of FMNH P14696, m3). G, p2–m3 of Proadiantus excavatus (MACN A 52-214). H, p1, dp2–dp5 and m1–m3 of Lambdaconus suinus (MACN A-52-199, p1, dp2–dp5 and m1–m2; MNHN.F.DES159, m3). I, p1–m3 of Diadiaphorus majusculus (MACN A 9180-82, p2–m3; YPM PU 15799, p1). J, m1–m3 of Anisolambda fissidens (MACN A 10668; holotype).K, m2–m3 of Paranisolambda prodromus (cast of MNRJ 1496V, m2 (mirrored); cast of MNRJ 1859V, m3 (mirrored). L, m2 of Victorlemoinea prototypica (MNRJ 1482V). M, p1–m3 of Sparnotheriodon epsilonoides (MACN 18225; holotype). N, O, m3 of Wainka tshotshe? [AMNH VP-29101 (mirrored)]. Relevant anatomical features of the dentition are labelled.More information on the specimens and observations are in Supporting information, File S2. For information about the tooth position convention, check the Material and methods. Abbreviations:end, entoconid; hlph, hypolophid; hyd, hypoconid; hyld, hypoconulid; med, metaconid; mlph, mesolophid; pad, paraconid; prd, protoconid; prgd, precingulid; psmcd, postmetacristid.Scale bars equal 1 cm.	Figure 5. Right lower molars of Litopterna in occlusal view.A, p1–p4 of Polymorphis lechei [holotype; MLP 12-2168 (mirrored)]. B, p1–m3 of Cramauchenia normalis [MNHN.F.COL181 (mirrored)]. C, m3 of Cramauchenia normalis (AMNH-VP 29753). D, p1–m3 of Theosodon lydekkeri [MACN A 24-90 (mirrored)]. E, m2–m3 of Proectocion sp. (MLP 59-II-28-107). F, p5–m3 of Tricoelodus bicuspidatus (MACN A 52-203, p5–m2 (holotype); cast of FMNH P14696, m3). G, p2–m3 of Proadiantus excavatus (MACN A 52-214). H, p1, dp2–dp5 and m1–m3 of Lambdaconus suinus (MACN A-52-199, p1, dp2–dp5 and m1–m2; MNHN.F.DES159, m3). I, p1–m3 of Diadiaphorus majusculus (MACN A 9180-82, p2–m3; YPM PU 15799, p1). J, m1–m3 of Anisolambda fissidens (MACN A 10668; holotype).K, m2–m3 of Paranisolambda prodromus (cast of MNRJ 1496V, m2 (mirrored); cast of MNRJ 1859V, m3 (mirrored). L, m2 of Victorlemoinea prototypica (MNRJ 1482V). M, p1–m3 of Sparnotheriodon epsilonoides (MACN 18225; holotype). N, O, m3 of Wainka tshotshe? [AMNH VP-29101 (mirrored)]. Relevant anatomical features of the dentition are labelled.More information on the specimens and observations are in Supporting information, File S2. For information about the tooth position convention, check the Material and methods. Abbreviations:end, entoconid; hlph, hypolophid; hyd, hypoconid; hyld, hypoconulid; med, metaconid; mlph, mesolophid; pad, paraconid; prd, protoconid; prgd, precingulid; psmcd, postmetacristid.Scale bars equal 1 cm.	2024-09-07	Püschel, Hans P.;Shelley, Sarah L.;Williamson, Thomas E.;Perini, Fernando A.;Wible, John R.;Brusatte, Stephen L.		Zenodo	biologists	Püschel, Hans P.;Shelley, Sarah L.;Williamson, Thomas E.;Perini, Fernando A.;Wible, John R.;Brusatte, Stephen L.			
03E487FEFFCAFF85CCDC9A30ACE3276B.taxon	http://purl.org/dc/dcmitype/StillImage	image/png	https://zenodo.org/record/13774721/files/figure.png	https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.13774721	Figure 2. Diversity of litoptern and associated early SANU families expressed as the number of genera.A, pie chart expressing the relative diversity of each family. B, diversity over time of the different families of interest with colours corresponding to the families listed in (A). C, same as (B) but using a smoothing function that averages the different occurrences aiding the eye in seeing patterns. In (A) the number of genera for each family is indicated next to the name between brackets.In (C) the function geom_smooth from the R package ggplot v.3.4, method = loess and span = 0.5 was used.In (B) and (C) apart from the standard Periods, Epochs, and Ages below, the SALMAs are indicated in grey boxes crossing the plots. The Tiupampan and Peligran SALMAs and the Bonaerian and Lujanian SALMAs are taken as only two temporal units instead of four for the plots. The data on taxa and occurrences were taken from Supporting information, Table S1, and the temporal information on SALMAs were taken from Supporting information, File S6. Note that the two genera of ‘amilnedwarsids’ were not included in this plot.Note that in the Discussion section, we proposed to redefine the families Anisolambdidae and Sparnotheriodontidae as the subfamilies Anisolambdinae and Sparnotheriodontinae of the family Anisolambdidae. Abbreviations: Ba, Barrancan; Bo/Lu, Bonaerian and Lujanian; Cc, Colloncuran; Cd, Carodnia Zone; Ch, Chasicoan; Co, Colhuehuapian; Cp, Chapadmalalan; De, Deseadean; En, Ensenadan; Hu, Huayquerian; It, Itaboraian; La, Laventan; Ma, Marplatan; Mo, Montehermosan; Mu, Mustersan; Ri, Riochican; Sa, Sapoan; San, Santacrucian; Tg, Tinguirirican; Ti/Pe, Tiupampan and Peligran; Va, Vacan.	Figure 2. Diversity of litoptern and associated early SANU families expressed as the number of genera.A, pie chart expressing the relative diversity of each family. B, diversity over time of the different families of interest with colours corresponding to the families listed in (A). C, same as (B) but using a smoothing function that averages the different occurrences aiding the eye in seeing patterns. In (A) the number of genera for each family is indicated next to the name between brackets.In (C) the function geom_smooth from the R package ggplot v.3.4, method = loess and span = 0.5 was used.In (B) and (C) apart from the standard Periods, Epochs, and Ages below, the SALMAs are indicated in grey boxes crossing the plots. The Tiupampan and Peligran SALMAs and the Bonaerian and Lujanian SALMAs are taken as only two temporal units instead of four for the plots. The data on taxa and occurrences were taken from Supporting information, Table S1, and the temporal information on SALMAs were taken from Supporting information, File S6. Note that the two genera of ‘amilnedwarsids’ were not included in this plot.Note that in the Discussion section, we proposed to redefine the families Anisolambdidae and Sparnotheriodontidae as the subfamilies Anisolambdinae and Sparnotheriodontinae of the family Anisolambdidae. Abbreviations: Ba, Barrancan; Bo/Lu, Bonaerian and Lujanian; Cc, Colloncuran; Cd, Carodnia Zone; Ch, Chasicoan; Co, Colhuehuapian; Cp, Chapadmalalan; De, Deseadean; En, Ensenadan; Hu, Huayquerian; It, Itaboraian; La, Laventan; Ma, Marplatan; Mo, Montehermosan; Mu, Mustersan; Ri, Riochican; Sa, Sapoan; San, Santacrucian; Tg, Tinguirirican; Ti/Pe, Tiupampan and Peligran; Va, Vacan.	2024-09-07	Püschel, Hans P.;Shelley, Sarah L.;Williamson, Thomas E.;Perini, Fernando A.;Wible, John R.;Brusatte, Stephen L.		Zenodo	biologists	Püschel, Hans P.;Shelley, Sarah L.;Williamson, Thomas E.;Perini, Fernando A.;Wible, John R.;Brusatte, Stephen L.			
03E487FEFFCAFF85CCDC9A30ACE3276B.taxon	http://purl.org/dc/dcmitype/StillImage	image/png	https://zenodo.org/record/13774719/files/figure.png	https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.13774719	Figure 1. Phylogenies of the order Litopterna illustrating its interordinal relationships (A–B) and its interfamilial relationships (C–D). A, Buckley (2015) phylogeny.B, Westbury et al. (2017) phylogeny. C, Cifelli (1993) phylogeny. D, Bonaparte and Morales (1997) phylogeny. Different colours in the branches indicate different families or orders: blue Adianthidae; brown, Notopterna; green, Proterotheriidae; red, Macraucheniidae; yellow, Sparnotheriodontidae. Litopterna is indicated with a star, but other nodes or tips of relevance are indicated in circles: blue, orders; orange, suborders; pink, superfamilies; black, families; green, non-defined rank.Abbreviations:Ad, Adianthidae; An, Anisolambdidae; Di, Didolodontidae; I, Indaleciidae; L, Litopterna; Lo, Lopholipterna; Ma, Macraucheniidae; Mo, Macrauchenoidea; Nu, Notoungulata; Pa, Panperissodactyla; Pe, Proterotheriidae; Po, Protolipternidae; S, Sparnotheriodontidae.	Figure 1. Phylogenies of the order Litopterna illustrating its interordinal relationships (A–B) and its interfamilial relationships (C–D). A, Buckley (2015) phylogeny.B, Westbury et al. (2017) phylogeny. C, Cifelli (1993) phylogeny. D, Bonaparte and Morales (1997) phylogeny. Different colours in the branches indicate different families or orders: blue Adianthidae; brown, Notopterna; green, Proterotheriidae; red, Macraucheniidae; yellow, Sparnotheriodontidae. Litopterna is indicated with a star, but other nodes or tips of relevance are indicated in circles: blue, orders; orange, suborders; pink, superfamilies; black, families; green, non-defined rank.Abbreviations:Ad, Adianthidae; An, Anisolambdidae; Di, Didolodontidae; I, Indaleciidae; L, Litopterna; Lo, Lopholipterna; Ma, Macraucheniidae; Mo, Macrauchenoidea; Nu, Notoungulata; Pa, Panperissodactyla; Pe, Proterotheriidae; Po, Protolipternidae; S, Sparnotheriodontidae.	2024-09-07	Püschel, Hans P.;Shelley, Sarah L.;Williamson, Thomas E.;Perini, Fernando A.;Wible, John R.;Brusatte, Stephen L.		Zenodo	biologists	Püschel, Hans P.;Shelley, Sarah L.;Williamson, Thomas E.;Perini, Fernando A.;Wible, John R.;Brusatte, Stephen L.			
03E487FEFFC4FF87CCB49B3CA9F521A5.taxon	http://purl.org/dc/dcmitype/StillImage	image/png	https://zenodo.org/record/13774725/files/figure.png	https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.13774725	Figure 4. Right upper molars of Litopterna in occlusal view.A, M3 of Polymorphis ligatus (holotype, MLP 12-2169). B, M3 of Polymorphis? (AMNH-VP 29481). C, M2? of Polyacrodon lanciformis Roth, 1899 [MLP 12-2170 (mirrored)]. D, P1–M3 of Cramauchenia normalis (MLP 85-VII-3-38a). E, P1–M3 of Theosodon garretorum (FMNH P 13175). F, P5–M3 of Proectocion precisus (holotype; MACN A 10679). G, P2– M3 of Tricoelodus bicuspidatus [cast of MLP 61-IV-11-65 (P2–P4 mirrored)]. H, M3 of Proectocion argentinus (holotype; MACN A 10673). I, M1 of Lambdaconus suinus [MNHN.F.DES162 (mirrored)]. J, P1–M3 of Diadiaphorus majusculus (MLP 12-304). K, P4–M3 of Lambdaconus suinus (MACN A 52-198; P4 was mirrored). L, M1–M3 of Victorlemoinea prototypica (AMNH-VP 111963, M1 (cast of MNRJ specimen); cast of MNRJ 1470V, M2 (holotype; mirrored); cast of MNRJ 1472V, M3 (mirrored). M, M1–M3 of Paranisolambda prodromus (cast of DGM 304M, M1; cast of DGM 310M, M2–M3). N, P4–M3 ofAnisolambda sp. (MLP 59-II-28-68, P4-P5 (mirrored); MLP 59-II-24-453, M1; MNHN.F.CAS 486, M2 (mirrored); MNHN.F.CAS488, M3 (mirrored). O, P5? of Wainka tshotshe (holotype; AMNH VP-28505 (mirrored). Relevant anatomical features of the dentition are labelled. Taxa with two prehypocristae are numbered from buccal (phyc1) to lingual (phyc2). When there are two cristae originating from the same cusp, they are numbered. More information on the specimens and observations are in Supporting information, File S2. For information about the tooth position convention, check the Material and methods. Abbreviations: hy, hypocone; hys, hypostyle; me, metacone; ms, mesostyle; mtl, metaconule; pa, paracone; phyc, prehypocrista; pmc, premetacrista; pmlc, premetaconular crista; pplc, preparaconular crista; pr, protocone; prl, paraconule; prt, protostyle; psmlc, postmetaconular crista; psplc, postparaconular crista; psprc, postprotocrista. Scale bars equal 1 cm.	Figure 4. Right upper molars of Litopterna in occlusal view.A, M3 of Polymorphis ligatus (holotype, MLP 12-2169). B, M3 of Polymorphis? (AMNH-VP 29481). C, M2? of Polyacrodon lanciformis Roth, 1899 [MLP 12-2170 (mirrored)]. D, P1–M3 of Cramauchenia normalis (MLP 85-VII-3-38a). E, P1–M3 of Theosodon garretorum (FMNH P 13175). F, P5–M3 of Proectocion precisus (holotype; MACN A 10679). G, P2– M3 of Tricoelodus bicuspidatus [cast of MLP 61-IV-11-65 (P2–P4 mirrored)]. H, M3 of Proectocion argentinus (holotype; MACN A 10673). I, M1 of Lambdaconus suinus [MNHN.F.DES162 (mirrored)]. J, P1–M3 of Diadiaphorus majusculus (MLP 12-304). K, P4–M3 of Lambdaconus suinus (MACN A 52-198; P4 was mirrored). L, M1–M3 of Victorlemoinea prototypica (AMNH-VP 111963, M1 (cast of MNRJ specimen); cast of MNRJ 1470V, M2 (holotype; mirrored); cast of MNRJ 1472V, M3 (mirrored). M, M1–M3 of Paranisolambda prodromus (cast of DGM 304M, M1; cast of DGM 310M, M2–M3). N, P4–M3 ofAnisolambda sp. (MLP 59-II-28-68, P4-P5 (mirrored); MLP 59-II-24-453, M1; MNHN.F.CAS 486, M2 (mirrored); MNHN.F.CAS488, M3 (mirrored). O, P5? of Wainka tshotshe (holotype; AMNH VP-28505 (mirrored). Relevant anatomical features of the dentition are labelled. Taxa with two prehypocristae are numbered from buccal (phyc1) to lingual (phyc2). When there are two cristae originating from the same cusp, they are numbered. More information on the specimens and observations are in Supporting information, File S2. For information about the tooth position convention, check the Material and methods. Abbreviations: hy, hypocone; hys, hypostyle; me, metacone; ms, mesostyle; mtl, metaconule; pa, paracone; phyc, prehypocrista; pmc, premetacrista; pmlc, premetaconular crista; pplc, preparaconular crista; pr, protocone; prl, paraconule; prt, protostyle; psmlc, postmetaconular crista; psplc, postparaconular crista; psprc, postprotocrista. Scale bars equal 1 cm.	2024-09-07	Püschel, Hans P.;Shelley, Sarah L.;Williamson, Thomas E.;Perini, Fernando A.;Wible, John R.;Brusatte, Stephen L.		Zenodo	biologists	Püschel, Hans P.;Shelley, Sarah L.;Williamson, Thomas E.;Perini, Fernando A.;Wible, John R.;Brusatte, Stephen L.			
03E487FEFFC4FF87CCB49B3CA9F521A5.taxon	http://purl.org/dc/dcmitype/StillImage	image/png	https://zenodo.org/record/13774729/files/figure.png	https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.13774729	Figure 5. Right lower molars of Litopterna in occlusal view.A, p1–p4 of Polymorphis lechei [holotype; MLP 12-2168 (mirrored)]. B, p1–m3 of Cramauchenia normalis [MNHN.F.COL181 (mirrored)]. C, m3 of Cramauchenia normalis (AMNH-VP 29753). D, p1–m3 of Theosodon lydekkeri [MACN A 24-90 (mirrored)]. E, m2–m3 of Proectocion sp. (MLP 59-II-28-107). F, p5–m3 of Tricoelodus bicuspidatus (MACN A 52-203, p5–m2 (holotype); cast of FMNH P14696, m3). G, p2–m3 of Proadiantus excavatus (MACN A 52-214). H, p1, dp2–dp5 and m1–m3 of Lambdaconus suinus (MACN A-52-199, p1, dp2–dp5 and m1–m2; MNHN.F.DES159, m3). I, p1–m3 of Diadiaphorus majusculus (MACN A 9180-82, p2–m3; YPM PU 15799, p1). J, m1–m3 of Anisolambda fissidens (MACN A 10668; holotype).K, m2–m3 of Paranisolambda prodromus (cast of MNRJ 1496V, m2 (mirrored); cast of MNRJ 1859V, m3 (mirrored). L, m2 of Victorlemoinea prototypica (MNRJ 1482V). M, p1–m3 of Sparnotheriodon epsilonoides (MACN 18225; holotype). N, O, m3 of Wainka tshotshe? [AMNH VP-29101 (mirrored)]. Relevant anatomical features of the dentition are labelled.More information on the specimens and observations are in Supporting information, File S2. For information about the tooth position convention, check the Material and methods. Abbreviations:end, entoconid; hlph, hypolophid; hyd, hypoconid; hyld, hypoconulid; med, metaconid; mlph, mesolophid; pad, paraconid; prd, protoconid; prgd, precingulid; psmcd, postmetacristid.Scale bars equal 1 cm.	Figure 5. Right lower molars of Litopterna in occlusal view.A, p1–p4 of Polymorphis lechei [holotype; MLP 12-2168 (mirrored)]. B, p1–m3 of Cramauchenia normalis [MNHN.F.COL181 (mirrored)]. C, m3 of Cramauchenia normalis (AMNH-VP 29753). D, p1–m3 of Theosodon lydekkeri [MACN A 24-90 (mirrored)]. E, m2–m3 of Proectocion sp. (MLP 59-II-28-107). F, p5–m3 of Tricoelodus bicuspidatus (MACN A 52-203, p5–m2 (holotype); cast of FMNH P14696, m3). G, p2–m3 of Proadiantus excavatus (MACN A 52-214). H, p1, dp2–dp5 and m1–m3 of Lambdaconus suinus (MACN A-52-199, p1, dp2–dp5 and m1–m2; MNHN.F.DES159, m3). I, p1–m3 of Diadiaphorus majusculus (MACN A 9180-82, p2–m3; YPM PU 15799, p1). J, m1–m3 of Anisolambda fissidens (MACN A 10668; holotype).K, m2–m3 of Paranisolambda prodromus (cast of MNRJ 1496V, m2 (mirrored); cast of MNRJ 1859V, m3 (mirrored). L, m2 of Victorlemoinea prototypica (MNRJ 1482V). M, p1–m3 of Sparnotheriodon epsilonoides (MACN 18225; holotype). N, O, m3 of Wainka tshotshe? [AMNH VP-29101 (mirrored)]. Relevant anatomical features of the dentition are labelled.More information on the specimens and observations are in Supporting information, File S2. For information about the tooth position convention, check the Material and methods. Abbreviations:end, entoconid; hlph, hypolophid; hyd, hypoconid; hyld, hypoconulid; med, metaconid; mlph, mesolophid; pad, paraconid; prd, protoconid; prgd, precingulid; psmcd, postmetacristid.Scale bars equal 1 cm.	2024-09-07	Püschel, Hans P.;Shelley, Sarah L.;Williamson, Thomas E.;Perini, Fernando A.;Wible, John R.;Brusatte, Stephen L.		Zenodo	biologists	Püschel, Hans P.;Shelley, Sarah L.;Williamson, Thomas E.;Perini, Fernando A.;Wible, John R.;Brusatte, Stephen L.			
03E487FEFFC4FF87CCB49B3CA9F521A5.taxon	http://purl.org/dc/dcmitype/StillImage	image/png	https://zenodo.org/record/13774721/files/figure.png	https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.13774721	Figure 2. Diversity of litoptern and associated early SANU families expressed as the number of genera.A, pie chart expressing the relative diversity of each family. B, diversity over time of the different families of interest with colours corresponding to the families listed in (A). C, same as (B) but using a smoothing function that averages the different occurrences aiding the eye in seeing patterns. In (A) the number of genera for each family is indicated next to the name between brackets.In (C) the function geom_smooth from the R package ggplot v.3.4, method = loess and span = 0.5 was used.In (B) and (C) apart from the standard Periods, Epochs, and Ages below, the SALMAs are indicated in grey boxes crossing the plots. The Tiupampan and Peligran SALMAs and the Bonaerian and Lujanian SALMAs are taken as only two temporal units instead of four for the plots. The data on taxa and occurrences were taken from Supporting information, Table S1, and the temporal information on SALMAs were taken from Supporting information, File S6. Note that the two genera of ‘amilnedwarsids’ were not included in this plot.Note that in the Discussion section, we proposed to redefine the families Anisolambdidae and Sparnotheriodontidae as the subfamilies Anisolambdinae and Sparnotheriodontinae of the family Anisolambdidae. Abbreviations: Ba, Barrancan; Bo/Lu, Bonaerian and Lujanian; Cc, Colloncuran; Cd, Carodnia Zone; Ch, Chasicoan; Co, Colhuehuapian; Cp, Chapadmalalan; De, Deseadean; En, Ensenadan; Hu, Huayquerian; It, Itaboraian; La, Laventan; Ma, Marplatan; Mo, Montehermosan; Mu, Mustersan; Ri, Riochican; Sa, Sapoan; San, Santacrucian; Tg, Tinguirirican; Ti/Pe, Tiupampan and Peligran; Va, Vacan.	Figure 2. Diversity of litoptern and associated early SANU families expressed as the number of genera.A, pie chart expressing the relative diversity of each family. B, diversity over time of the different families of interest with colours corresponding to the families listed in (A). C, same as (B) but using a smoothing function that averages the different occurrences aiding the eye in seeing patterns. In (A) the number of genera for each family is indicated next to the name between brackets.In (C) the function geom_smooth from the R package ggplot v.3.4, method = loess and span = 0.5 was used.In (B) and (C) apart from the standard Periods, Epochs, and Ages below, the SALMAs are indicated in grey boxes crossing the plots. The Tiupampan and Peligran SALMAs and the Bonaerian and Lujanian SALMAs are taken as only two temporal units instead of four for the plots. The data on taxa and occurrences were taken from Supporting information, Table S1, and the temporal information on SALMAs were taken from Supporting information, File S6. Note that the two genera of ‘amilnedwarsids’ were not included in this plot.Note that in the Discussion section, we proposed to redefine the families Anisolambdidae and Sparnotheriodontidae as the subfamilies Anisolambdinae and Sparnotheriodontinae of the family Anisolambdidae. Abbreviations: Ba, Barrancan; Bo/Lu, Bonaerian and Lujanian; Cc, Colloncuran; Cd, Carodnia Zone; Ch, Chasicoan; Co, Colhuehuapian; Cp, Chapadmalalan; De, Deseadean; En, Ensenadan; Hu, Huayquerian; It, Itaboraian; La, Laventan; Ma, Marplatan; Mo, Montehermosan; Mu, Mustersan; Ri, Riochican; Sa, Sapoan; San, Santacrucian; Tg, Tinguirirican; Ti/Pe, Tiupampan and Peligran; Va, Vacan.	2024-09-07	Püschel, Hans P.;Shelley, Sarah L.;Williamson, Thomas E.;Perini, Fernando A.;Wible, John R.;Brusatte, Stephen L.		Zenodo	biologists	Püschel, Hans P.;Shelley, Sarah L.;Williamson, Thomas E.;Perini, Fernando A.;Wible, John R.;Brusatte, Stephen L.			
03E487FEFFC4FF87CCB49B3CA9F521A5.taxon	http://purl.org/dc/dcmitype/StillImage	image/png	https://zenodo.org/record/13774719/files/figure.png	https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.13774719	Figure 1. Phylogenies of the order Litopterna illustrating its interordinal relationships (A–B) and its interfamilial relationships (C–D). A, Buckley (2015) phylogeny.B, Westbury et al. (2017) phylogeny. C, Cifelli (1993) phylogeny. D, Bonaparte and Morales (1997) phylogeny. Different colours in the branches indicate different families or orders: blue Adianthidae; brown, Notopterna; green, Proterotheriidae; red, Macraucheniidae; yellow, Sparnotheriodontidae. Litopterna is indicated with a star, but other nodes or tips of relevance are indicated in circles: blue, orders; orange, suborders; pink, superfamilies; black, families; green, non-defined rank.Abbreviations:Ad, Adianthidae; An, Anisolambdidae; Di, Didolodontidae; I, Indaleciidae; L, Litopterna; Lo, Lopholipterna; Ma, Macraucheniidae; Mo, Macrauchenoidea; Nu, Notoungulata; Pa, Panperissodactyla; Pe, Proterotheriidae; Po, Protolipternidae; S, Sparnotheriodontidae.	Figure 1. Phylogenies of the order Litopterna illustrating its interordinal relationships (A–B) and its interfamilial relationships (C–D). A, Buckley (2015) phylogeny.B, Westbury et al. (2017) phylogeny. C, Cifelli (1993) phylogeny. D, Bonaparte and Morales (1997) phylogeny. Different colours in the branches indicate different families or orders: blue Adianthidae; brown, Notopterna; green, Proterotheriidae; red, Macraucheniidae; yellow, Sparnotheriodontidae. Litopterna is indicated with a star, but other nodes or tips of relevance are indicated in circles: blue, orders; orange, suborders; pink, superfamilies; black, families; green, non-defined rank.Abbreviations:Ad, Adianthidae; An, Anisolambdidae; Di, Didolodontidae; I, Indaleciidae; L, Litopterna; Lo, Lopholipterna; Ma, Macraucheniidae; Mo, Macrauchenoidea; Nu, Notoungulata; Pa, Panperissodactyla; Pe, Proterotheriidae; Po, Protolipternidae; S, Sparnotheriodontidae.	2024-09-07	Püschel, Hans P.;Shelley, Sarah L.;Williamson, Thomas E.;Perini, Fernando A.;Wible, John R.;Brusatte, Stephen L.		Zenodo	biologists	Püschel, Hans P.;Shelley, Sarah L.;Williamson, Thomas E.;Perini, Fernando A.;Wible, John R.;Brusatte, Stephen L.			
03E487FEFFC6FF81CE499C73A8F824B5.taxon	http://purl.org/dc/dcmitype/StillImage	image/png	https://zenodo.org/record/13774725/files/figure.png	https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.13774725	Figure 4. Right upper molars of Litopterna in occlusal view.A, M3 of Polymorphis ligatus (holotype, MLP 12-2169). B, M3 of Polymorphis? (AMNH-VP 29481). C, M2? of Polyacrodon lanciformis Roth, 1899 [MLP 12-2170 (mirrored)]. D, P1–M3 of Cramauchenia normalis (MLP 85-VII-3-38a). E, P1–M3 of Theosodon garretorum (FMNH P 13175). F, P5–M3 of Proectocion precisus (holotype; MACN A 10679). G, P2– M3 of Tricoelodus bicuspidatus [cast of MLP 61-IV-11-65 (P2–P4 mirrored)]. H, M3 of Proectocion argentinus (holotype; MACN A 10673). I, M1 of Lambdaconus suinus [MNHN.F.DES162 (mirrored)]. J, P1–M3 of Diadiaphorus majusculus (MLP 12-304). K, P4–M3 of Lambdaconus suinus (MACN A 52-198; P4 was mirrored). L, M1–M3 of Victorlemoinea prototypica (AMNH-VP 111963, M1 (cast of MNRJ specimen); cast of MNRJ 1470V, M2 (holotype; mirrored); cast of MNRJ 1472V, M3 (mirrored). M, M1–M3 of Paranisolambda prodromus (cast of DGM 304M, M1; cast of DGM 310M, M2–M3). N, P4–M3 ofAnisolambda sp. (MLP 59-II-28-68, P4-P5 (mirrored); MLP 59-II-24-453, M1; MNHN.F.CAS 486, M2 (mirrored); MNHN.F.CAS488, M3 (mirrored). O, P5? of Wainka tshotshe (holotype; AMNH VP-28505 (mirrored). Relevant anatomical features of the dentition are labelled. Taxa with two prehypocristae are numbered from buccal (phyc1) to lingual (phyc2). When there are two cristae originating from the same cusp, they are numbered. More information on the specimens and observations are in Supporting information, File S2. For information about the tooth position convention, check the Material and methods. Abbreviations: hy, hypocone; hys, hypostyle; me, metacone; ms, mesostyle; mtl, metaconule; pa, paracone; phyc, prehypocrista; pmc, premetacrista; pmlc, premetaconular crista; pplc, preparaconular crista; pr, protocone; prl, paraconule; prt, protostyle; psmlc, postmetaconular crista; psplc, postparaconular crista; psprc, postprotocrista. Scale bars equal 1 cm.	Figure 4. Right upper molars of Litopterna in occlusal view.A, M3 of Polymorphis ligatus (holotype, MLP 12-2169). B, M3 of Polymorphis? (AMNH-VP 29481). C, M2? of Polyacrodon lanciformis Roth, 1899 [MLP 12-2170 (mirrored)]. D, P1–M3 of Cramauchenia normalis (MLP 85-VII-3-38a). E, P1–M3 of Theosodon garretorum (FMNH P 13175). F, P5–M3 of Proectocion precisus (holotype; MACN A 10679). G, P2– M3 of Tricoelodus bicuspidatus [cast of MLP 61-IV-11-65 (P2–P4 mirrored)]. H, M3 of Proectocion argentinus (holotype; MACN A 10673). I, M1 of Lambdaconus suinus [MNHN.F.DES162 (mirrored)]. J, P1–M3 of Diadiaphorus majusculus (MLP 12-304). K, P4–M3 of Lambdaconus suinus (MACN A 52-198; P4 was mirrored). L, M1–M3 of Victorlemoinea prototypica (AMNH-VP 111963, M1 (cast of MNRJ specimen); cast of MNRJ 1470V, M2 (holotype; mirrored); cast of MNRJ 1472V, M3 (mirrored). M, M1–M3 of Paranisolambda prodromus (cast of DGM 304M, M1; cast of DGM 310M, M2–M3). N, P4–M3 ofAnisolambda sp. (MLP 59-II-28-68, P4-P5 (mirrored); MLP 59-II-24-453, M1; MNHN.F.CAS 486, M2 (mirrored); MNHN.F.CAS488, M3 (mirrored). O, P5? of Wainka tshotshe (holotype; AMNH VP-28505 (mirrored). Relevant anatomical features of the dentition are labelled. Taxa with two prehypocristae are numbered from buccal (phyc1) to lingual (phyc2). When there are two cristae originating from the same cusp, they are numbered. More information on the specimens and observations are in Supporting information, File S2. For information about the tooth position convention, check the Material and methods. Abbreviations: hy, hypocone; hys, hypostyle; me, metacone; ms, mesostyle; mtl, metaconule; pa, paracone; phyc, prehypocrista; pmc, premetacrista; pmlc, premetaconular crista; pplc, preparaconular crista; pr, protocone; prl, paraconule; prt, protostyle; psmlc, postmetaconular crista; psplc, postparaconular crista; psprc, postprotocrista. Scale bars equal 1 cm.	2024-09-07	Püschel, Hans P.;Shelley, Sarah L.;Williamson, Thomas E.;Perini, Fernando A.;Wible, John R.;Brusatte, Stephen L.		Zenodo	biologists	Püschel, Hans P.;Shelley, Sarah L.;Williamson, Thomas E.;Perini, Fernando A.;Wible, John R.;Brusatte, Stephen L.			
03E487FEFFC6FF81CE499C73A8F824B5.taxon	http://purl.org/dc/dcmitype/StillImage	image/png	https://zenodo.org/record/13774729/files/figure.png	https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.13774729	Figure 5. Right lower molars of Litopterna in occlusal view.A, p1–p4 of Polymorphis lechei [holotype; MLP 12-2168 (mirrored)]. B, p1–m3 of Cramauchenia normalis [MNHN.F.COL181 (mirrored)]. C, m3 of Cramauchenia normalis (AMNH-VP 29753). D, p1–m3 of Theosodon lydekkeri [MACN A 24-90 (mirrored)]. E, m2–m3 of Proectocion sp. (MLP 59-II-28-107). F, p5–m3 of Tricoelodus bicuspidatus (MACN A 52-203, p5–m2 (holotype); cast of FMNH P14696, m3). G, p2–m3 of Proadiantus excavatus (MACN A 52-214). H, p1, dp2–dp5 and m1–m3 of Lambdaconus suinus (MACN A-52-199, p1, dp2–dp5 and m1–m2; MNHN.F.DES159, m3). I, p1–m3 of Diadiaphorus majusculus (MACN A 9180-82, p2–m3; YPM PU 15799, p1). J, m1–m3 of Anisolambda fissidens (MACN A 10668; holotype).K, m2–m3 of Paranisolambda prodromus (cast of MNRJ 1496V, m2 (mirrored); cast of MNRJ 1859V, m3 (mirrored). L, m2 of Victorlemoinea prototypica (MNRJ 1482V). M, p1–m3 of Sparnotheriodon epsilonoides (MACN 18225; holotype). N, O, m3 of Wainka tshotshe? [AMNH VP-29101 (mirrored)]. Relevant anatomical features of the dentition are labelled.More information on the specimens and observations are in Supporting information, File S2. For information about the tooth position convention, check the Material and methods. Abbreviations:end, entoconid; hlph, hypolophid; hyd, hypoconid; hyld, hypoconulid; med, metaconid; mlph, mesolophid; pad, paraconid; prd, protoconid; prgd, precingulid; psmcd, postmetacristid.Scale bars equal 1 cm.	Figure 5. Right lower molars of Litopterna in occlusal view.A, p1–p4 of Polymorphis lechei [holotype; MLP 12-2168 (mirrored)]. B, p1–m3 of Cramauchenia normalis [MNHN.F.COL181 (mirrored)]. C, m3 of Cramauchenia normalis (AMNH-VP 29753). D, p1–m3 of Theosodon lydekkeri [MACN A 24-90 (mirrored)]. E, m2–m3 of Proectocion sp. (MLP 59-II-28-107). F, p5–m3 of Tricoelodus bicuspidatus (MACN A 52-203, p5–m2 (holotype); cast of FMNH P14696, m3). G, p2–m3 of Proadiantus excavatus (MACN A 52-214). H, p1, dp2–dp5 and m1–m3 of Lambdaconus suinus (MACN A-52-199, p1, dp2–dp5 and m1–m2; MNHN.F.DES159, m3). I, p1–m3 of Diadiaphorus majusculus (MACN A 9180-82, p2–m3; YPM PU 15799, p1). J, m1–m3 of Anisolambda fissidens (MACN A 10668; holotype).K, m2–m3 of Paranisolambda prodromus (cast of MNRJ 1496V, m2 (mirrored); cast of MNRJ 1859V, m3 (mirrored). L, m2 of Victorlemoinea prototypica (MNRJ 1482V). M, p1–m3 of Sparnotheriodon epsilonoides (MACN 18225; holotype). N, O, m3 of Wainka tshotshe? [AMNH VP-29101 (mirrored)]. Relevant anatomical features of the dentition are labelled.More information on the specimens and observations are in Supporting information, File S2. For information about the tooth position convention, check the Material and methods. Abbreviations:end, entoconid; hlph, hypolophid; hyd, hypoconid; hyld, hypoconulid; med, metaconid; mlph, mesolophid; pad, paraconid; prd, protoconid; prgd, precingulid; psmcd, postmetacristid.Scale bars equal 1 cm.	2024-09-07	Püschel, Hans P.;Shelley, Sarah L.;Williamson, Thomas E.;Perini, Fernando A.;Wible, John R.;Brusatte, Stephen L.		Zenodo	biologists	Püschel, Hans P.;Shelley, Sarah L.;Williamson, Thomas E.;Perini, Fernando A.;Wible, John R.;Brusatte, Stephen L.			
03E487FEFFC6FF81CE499C73A8F824B5.taxon	http://purl.org/dc/dcmitype/StillImage	image/png	https://zenodo.org/record/13774721/files/figure.png	https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.13774721	Figure 2. Diversity of litoptern and associated early SANU families expressed as the number of genera.A, pie chart expressing the relative diversity of each family. B, diversity over time of the different families of interest with colours corresponding to the families listed in (A). C, same as (B) but using a smoothing function that averages the different occurrences aiding the eye in seeing patterns. In (A) the number of genera for each family is indicated next to the name between brackets.In (C) the function geom_smooth from the R package ggplot v.3.4, method = loess and span = 0.5 was used.In (B) and (C) apart from the standard Periods, Epochs, and Ages below, the SALMAs are indicated in grey boxes crossing the plots. The Tiupampan and Peligran SALMAs and the Bonaerian and Lujanian SALMAs are taken as only two temporal units instead of four for the plots. The data on taxa and occurrences were taken from Supporting information, Table S1, and the temporal information on SALMAs were taken from Supporting information, File S6. Note that the two genera of ‘amilnedwarsids’ were not included in this plot.Note that in the Discussion section, we proposed to redefine the families Anisolambdidae and Sparnotheriodontidae as the subfamilies Anisolambdinae and Sparnotheriodontinae of the family Anisolambdidae. Abbreviations: Ba, Barrancan; Bo/Lu, Bonaerian and Lujanian; Cc, Colloncuran; Cd, Carodnia Zone; Ch, Chasicoan; Co, Colhuehuapian; Cp, Chapadmalalan; De, Deseadean; En, Ensenadan; Hu, Huayquerian; It, Itaboraian; La, Laventan; Ma, Marplatan; Mo, Montehermosan; Mu, Mustersan; Ri, Riochican; Sa, Sapoan; San, Santacrucian; Tg, Tinguirirican; Ti/Pe, Tiupampan and Peligran; Va, Vacan.	Figure 2. Diversity of litoptern and associated early SANU families expressed as the number of genera.A, pie chart expressing the relative diversity of each family. B, diversity over time of the different families of interest with colours corresponding to the families listed in (A). C, same as (B) but using a smoothing function that averages the different occurrences aiding the eye in seeing patterns. In (A) the number of genera for each family is indicated next to the name between brackets.In (C) the function geom_smooth from the R package ggplot v.3.4, method = loess and span = 0.5 was used.In (B) and (C) apart from the standard Periods, Epochs, and Ages below, the SALMAs are indicated in grey boxes crossing the plots. The Tiupampan and Peligran SALMAs and the Bonaerian and Lujanian SALMAs are taken as only two temporal units instead of four for the plots. The data on taxa and occurrences were taken from Supporting information, Table S1, and the temporal information on SALMAs were taken from Supporting information, File S6. Note that the two genera of ‘amilnedwarsids’ were not included in this plot.Note that in the Discussion section, we proposed to redefine the families Anisolambdidae and Sparnotheriodontidae as the subfamilies Anisolambdinae and Sparnotheriodontinae of the family Anisolambdidae. Abbreviations: Ba, Barrancan; Bo/Lu, Bonaerian and Lujanian; Cc, Colloncuran; Cd, Carodnia Zone; Ch, Chasicoan; Co, Colhuehuapian; Cp, Chapadmalalan; De, Deseadean; En, Ensenadan; Hu, Huayquerian; It, Itaboraian; La, Laventan; Ma, Marplatan; Mo, Montehermosan; Mu, Mustersan; Ri, Riochican; Sa, Sapoan; San, Santacrucian; Tg, Tinguirirican; Ti/Pe, Tiupampan and Peligran; Va, Vacan.	2024-09-07	Püschel, Hans P.;Shelley, Sarah L.;Williamson, Thomas E.;Perini, Fernando A.;Wible, John R.;Brusatte, Stephen L.		Zenodo	biologists	Püschel, Hans P.;Shelley, Sarah L.;Williamson, Thomas E.;Perini, Fernando A.;Wible, John R.;Brusatte, Stephen L.			
03E487FEFFC6FF81CE499C73A8F824B5.taxon	http://purl.org/dc/dcmitype/StillImage	image/png	https://zenodo.org/record/13774719/files/figure.png	https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.13774719	Figure 1. Phylogenies of the order Litopterna illustrating its interordinal relationships (A–B) and its interfamilial relationships (C–D). A, Buckley (2015) phylogeny.B, Westbury et al. (2017) phylogeny. C, Cifelli (1993) phylogeny. D, Bonaparte and Morales (1997) phylogeny. Different colours in the branches indicate different families or orders: blue Adianthidae; brown, Notopterna; green, Proterotheriidae; red, Macraucheniidae; yellow, Sparnotheriodontidae. Litopterna is indicated with a star, but other nodes or tips of relevance are indicated in circles: blue, orders; orange, suborders; pink, superfamilies; black, families; green, non-defined rank.Abbreviations:Ad, Adianthidae; An, Anisolambdidae; Di, Didolodontidae; I, Indaleciidae; L, Litopterna; Lo, Lopholipterna; Ma, Macraucheniidae; Mo, Macrauchenoidea; Nu, Notoungulata; Pa, Panperissodactyla; Pe, Proterotheriidae; Po, Protolipternidae; S, Sparnotheriodontidae.	Figure 1. Phylogenies of the order Litopterna illustrating its interordinal relationships (A–B) and its interfamilial relationships (C–D). A, Buckley (2015) phylogeny.B, Westbury et al. (2017) phylogeny. C, Cifelli (1993) phylogeny. D, Bonaparte and Morales (1997) phylogeny. Different colours in the branches indicate different families or orders: blue Adianthidae; brown, Notopterna; green, Proterotheriidae; red, Macraucheniidae; yellow, Sparnotheriodontidae. Litopterna is indicated with a star, but other nodes or tips of relevance are indicated in circles: blue, orders; orange, suborders; pink, superfamilies; black, families; green, non-defined rank.Abbreviations:Ad, Adianthidae; An, Anisolambdidae; Di, Didolodontidae; I, Indaleciidae; L, Litopterna; Lo, Lopholipterna; Ma, Macraucheniidae; Mo, Macrauchenoidea; Nu, Notoungulata; Pa, Panperissodactyla; Pe, Proterotheriidae; Po, Protolipternidae; S, Sparnotheriodontidae.	2024-09-07	Püschel, Hans P.;Shelley, Sarah L.;Williamson, Thomas E.;Perini, Fernando A.;Wible, John R.;Brusatte, Stephen L.		Zenodo	biologists	Püschel, Hans P.;Shelley, Sarah L.;Williamson, Thomas E.;Perini, Fernando A.;Wible, John R.;Brusatte, Stephen L.			
03E487FEFFC0FF83CE7D9B62AA2B26A2.taxon	http://purl.org/dc/dcmitype/StillImage	image/png	https://zenodo.org/record/13774725/files/figure.png	https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.13774725	Figure 4. Right upper molars of Litopterna in occlusal view.A, M3 of Polymorphis ligatus (holotype, MLP 12-2169). B, M3 of Polymorphis? (AMNH-VP 29481). C, M2? of Polyacrodon lanciformis Roth, 1899 [MLP 12-2170 (mirrored)]. D, P1–M3 of Cramauchenia normalis (MLP 85-VII-3-38a). E, P1–M3 of Theosodon garretorum (FMNH P 13175). F, P5–M3 of Proectocion precisus (holotype; MACN A 10679). G, P2– M3 of Tricoelodus bicuspidatus [cast of MLP 61-IV-11-65 (P2–P4 mirrored)]. H, M3 of Proectocion argentinus (holotype; MACN A 10673). I, M1 of Lambdaconus suinus [MNHN.F.DES162 (mirrored)]. J, P1–M3 of Diadiaphorus majusculus (MLP 12-304). K, P4–M3 of Lambdaconus suinus (MACN A 52-198; P4 was mirrored). L, M1–M3 of Victorlemoinea prototypica (AMNH-VP 111963, M1 (cast of MNRJ specimen); cast of MNRJ 1470V, M2 (holotype; mirrored); cast of MNRJ 1472V, M3 (mirrored). M, M1–M3 of Paranisolambda prodromus (cast of DGM 304M, M1; cast of DGM 310M, M2–M3). N, P4–M3 ofAnisolambda sp. (MLP 59-II-28-68, P4-P5 (mirrored); MLP 59-II-24-453, M1; MNHN.F.CAS 486, M2 (mirrored); MNHN.F.CAS488, M3 (mirrored). O, P5? of Wainka tshotshe (holotype; AMNH VP-28505 (mirrored). Relevant anatomical features of the dentition are labelled. Taxa with two prehypocristae are numbered from buccal (phyc1) to lingual (phyc2). When there are two cristae originating from the same cusp, they are numbered. More information on the specimens and observations are in Supporting information, File S2. For information about the tooth position convention, check the Material and methods. Abbreviations: hy, hypocone; hys, hypostyle; me, metacone; ms, mesostyle; mtl, metaconule; pa, paracone; phyc, prehypocrista; pmc, premetacrista; pmlc, premetaconular crista; pplc, preparaconular crista; pr, protocone; prl, paraconule; prt, protostyle; psmlc, postmetaconular crista; psplc, postparaconular crista; psprc, postprotocrista. Scale bars equal 1 cm.	Figure 4. Right upper molars of Litopterna in occlusal view.A, M3 of Polymorphis ligatus (holotype, MLP 12-2169). B, M3 of Polymorphis? (AMNH-VP 29481). C, M2? of Polyacrodon lanciformis Roth, 1899 [MLP 12-2170 (mirrored)]. D, P1–M3 of Cramauchenia normalis (MLP 85-VII-3-38a). E, P1–M3 of Theosodon garretorum (FMNH P 13175). F, P5–M3 of Proectocion precisus (holotype; MACN A 10679). G, P2– M3 of Tricoelodus bicuspidatus [cast of MLP 61-IV-11-65 (P2–P4 mirrored)]. H, M3 of Proectocion argentinus (holotype; MACN A 10673). I, M1 of Lambdaconus suinus [MNHN.F.DES162 (mirrored)]. J, P1–M3 of Diadiaphorus majusculus (MLP 12-304). K, P4–M3 of Lambdaconus suinus (MACN A 52-198; P4 was mirrored). L, M1–M3 of Victorlemoinea prototypica (AMNH-VP 111963, M1 (cast of MNRJ specimen); cast of MNRJ 1470V, M2 (holotype; mirrored); cast of MNRJ 1472V, M3 (mirrored). M, M1–M3 of Paranisolambda prodromus (cast of DGM 304M, M1; cast of DGM 310M, M2–M3). N, P4–M3 ofAnisolambda sp. (MLP 59-II-28-68, P4-P5 (mirrored); MLP 59-II-24-453, M1; MNHN.F.CAS 486, M2 (mirrored); MNHN.F.CAS488, M3 (mirrored). O, P5? of Wainka tshotshe (holotype; AMNH VP-28505 (mirrored). Relevant anatomical features of the dentition are labelled. Taxa with two prehypocristae are numbered from buccal (phyc1) to lingual (phyc2). When there are two cristae originating from the same cusp, they are numbered. More information on the specimens and observations are in Supporting information, File S2. For information about the tooth position convention, check the Material and methods. Abbreviations: hy, hypocone; hys, hypostyle; me, metacone; ms, mesostyle; mtl, metaconule; pa, paracone; phyc, prehypocrista; pmc, premetacrista; pmlc, premetaconular crista; pplc, preparaconular crista; pr, protocone; prl, paraconule; prt, protostyle; psmlc, postmetaconular crista; psplc, postparaconular crista; psprc, postprotocrista. Scale bars equal 1 cm.	2024-09-07	Püschel, Hans P.;Shelley, Sarah L.;Williamson, Thomas E.;Perini, Fernando A.;Wible, John R.;Brusatte, Stephen L.		Zenodo	biologists	Püschel, Hans P.;Shelley, Sarah L.;Williamson, Thomas E.;Perini, Fernando A.;Wible, John R.;Brusatte, Stephen L.			
03E487FEFFC0FF83CE7D9B62AA2B26A2.taxon	http://purl.org/dc/dcmitype/StillImage	image/png	https://zenodo.org/record/13774729/files/figure.png	https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.13774729	Figure 5. Right lower molars of Litopterna in occlusal view.A, p1–p4 of Polymorphis lechei [holotype; MLP 12-2168 (mirrored)]. B, p1–m3 of Cramauchenia normalis [MNHN.F.COL181 (mirrored)]. C, m3 of Cramauchenia normalis (AMNH-VP 29753). D, p1–m3 of Theosodon lydekkeri [MACN A 24-90 (mirrored)]. E, m2–m3 of Proectocion sp. (MLP 59-II-28-107). F, p5–m3 of Tricoelodus bicuspidatus (MACN A 52-203, p5–m2 (holotype); cast of FMNH P14696, m3). G, p2–m3 of Proadiantus excavatus (MACN A 52-214). H, p1, dp2–dp5 and m1–m3 of Lambdaconus suinus (MACN A-52-199, p1, dp2–dp5 and m1–m2; MNHN.F.DES159, m3). I, p1–m3 of Diadiaphorus majusculus (MACN A 9180-82, p2–m3; YPM PU 15799, p1). J, m1–m3 of Anisolambda fissidens (MACN A 10668; holotype).K, m2–m3 of Paranisolambda prodromus (cast of MNRJ 1496V, m2 (mirrored); cast of MNRJ 1859V, m3 (mirrored). L, m2 of Victorlemoinea prototypica (MNRJ 1482V). M, p1–m3 of Sparnotheriodon epsilonoides (MACN 18225; holotype). N, O, m3 of Wainka tshotshe? [AMNH VP-29101 (mirrored)]. Relevant anatomical features of the dentition are labelled.More information on the specimens and observations are in Supporting information, File S2. For information about the tooth position convention, check the Material and methods. Abbreviations:end, entoconid; hlph, hypolophid; hyd, hypoconid; hyld, hypoconulid; med, metaconid; mlph, mesolophid; pad, paraconid; prd, protoconid; prgd, precingulid; psmcd, postmetacristid.Scale bars equal 1 cm.	Figure 5. Right lower molars of Litopterna in occlusal view.A, p1–p4 of Polymorphis lechei [holotype; MLP 12-2168 (mirrored)]. B, p1–m3 of Cramauchenia normalis [MNHN.F.COL181 (mirrored)]. C, m3 of Cramauchenia normalis (AMNH-VP 29753). D, p1–m3 of Theosodon lydekkeri [MACN A 24-90 (mirrored)]. E, m2–m3 of Proectocion sp. (MLP 59-II-28-107). F, p5–m3 of Tricoelodus bicuspidatus (MACN A 52-203, p5–m2 (holotype); cast of FMNH P14696, m3). G, p2–m3 of Proadiantus excavatus (MACN A 52-214). H, p1, dp2–dp5 and m1–m3 of Lambdaconus suinus (MACN A-52-199, p1, dp2–dp5 and m1–m2; MNHN.F.DES159, m3). I, p1–m3 of Diadiaphorus majusculus (MACN A 9180-82, p2–m3; YPM PU 15799, p1). J, m1–m3 of Anisolambda fissidens (MACN A 10668; holotype).K, m2–m3 of Paranisolambda prodromus (cast of MNRJ 1496V, m2 (mirrored); cast of MNRJ 1859V, m3 (mirrored). L, m2 of Victorlemoinea prototypica (MNRJ 1482V). M, p1–m3 of Sparnotheriodon epsilonoides (MACN 18225; holotype). N, O, m3 of Wainka tshotshe? [AMNH VP-29101 (mirrored)]. Relevant anatomical features of the dentition are labelled.More information on the specimens and observations are in Supporting information, File S2. For information about the tooth position convention, check the Material and methods. Abbreviations:end, entoconid; hlph, hypolophid; hyd, hypoconid; hyld, hypoconulid; med, metaconid; mlph, mesolophid; pad, paraconid; prd, protoconid; prgd, precingulid; psmcd, postmetacristid.Scale bars equal 1 cm.	2024-09-07	Püschel, Hans P.;Shelley, Sarah L.;Williamson, Thomas E.;Perini, Fernando A.;Wible, John R.;Brusatte, Stephen L.		Zenodo	biologists	Püschel, Hans P.;Shelley, Sarah L.;Williamson, Thomas E.;Perini, Fernando A.;Wible, John R.;Brusatte, Stephen L.			
03E487FEFFC0FF83CE7D9B62AA2B26A2.taxon	http://purl.org/dc/dcmitype/StillImage	image/png	https://zenodo.org/record/13774721/files/figure.png	https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.13774721	Figure 2. Diversity of litoptern and associated early SANU families expressed as the number of genera.A, pie chart expressing the relative diversity of each family. B, diversity over time of the different families of interest with colours corresponding to the families listed in (A). C, same as (B) but using a smoothing function that averages the different occurrences aiding the eye in seeing patterns. In (A) the number of genera for each family is indicated next to the name between brackets.In (C) the function geom_smooth from the R package ggplot v.3.4, method = loess and span = 0.5 was used.In (B) and (C) apart from the standard Periods, Epochs, and Ages below, the SALMAs are indicated in grey boxes crossing the plots. The Tiupampan and Peligran SALMAs and the Bonaerian and Lujanian SALMAs are taken as only two temporal units instead of four for the plots. The data on taxa and occurrences were taken from Supporting information, Table S1, and the temporal information on SALMAs were taken from Supporting information, File S6. Note that the two genera of ‘amilnedwarsids’ were not included in this plot.Note that in the Discussion section, we proposed to redefine the families Anisolambdidae and Sparnotheriodontidae as the subfamilies Anisolambdinae and Sparnotheriodontinae of the family Anisolambdidae. Abbreviations: Ba, Barrancan; Bo/Lu, Bonaerian and Lujanian; Cc, Colloncuran; Cd, Carodnia Zone; Ch, Chasicoan; Co, Colhuehuapian; Cp, Chapadmalalan; De, Deseadean; En, Ensenadan; Hu, Huayquerian; It, Itaboraian; La, Laventan; Ma, Marplatan; Mo, Montehermosan; Mu, Mustersan; Ri, Riochican; Sa, Sapoan; San, Santacrucian; Tg, Tinguirirican; Ti/Pe, Tiupampan and Peligran; Va, Vacan.	Figure 2. Diversity of litoptern and associated early SANU families expressed as the number of genera.A, pie chart expressing the relative diversity of each family. B, diversity over time of the different families of interest with colours corresponding to the families listed in (A). C, same as (B) but using a smoothing function that averages the different occurrences aiding the eye in seeing patterns. In (A) the number of genera for each family is indicated next to the name between brackets.In (C) the function geom_smooth from the R package ggplot v.3.4, method = loess and span = 0.5 was used.In (B) and (C) apart from the standard Periods, Epochs, and Ages below, the SALMAs are indicated in grey boxes crossing the plots. The Tiupampan and Peligran SALMAs and the Bonaerian and Lujanian SALMAs are taken as only two temporal units instead of four for the plots. The data on taxa and occurrences were taken from Supporting information, Table S1, and the temporal information on SALMAs were taken from Supporting information, File S6. Note that the two genera of ‘amilnedwarsids’ were not included in this plot.Note that in the Discussion section, we proposed to redefine the families Anisolambdidae and Sparnotheriodontidae as the subfamilies Anisolambdinae and Sparnotheriodontinae of the family Anisolambdidae. Abbreviations: Ba, Barrancan; Bo/Lu, Bonaerian and Lujanian; Cc, Colloncuran; Cd, Carodnia Zone; Ch, Chasicoan; Co, Colhuehuapian; Cp, Chapadmalalan; De, Deseadean; En, Ensenadan; Hu, Huayquerian; It, Itaboraian; La, Laventan; Ma, Marplatan; Mo, Montehermosan; Mu, Mustersan; Ri, Riochican; Sa, Sapoan; San, Santacrucian; Tg, Tinguirirican; Ti/Pe, Tiupampan and Peligran; Va, Vacan.	2024-09-07	Püschel, Hans P.;Shelley, Sarah L.;Williamson, Thomas E.;Perini, Fernando A.;Wible, John R.;Brusatte, Stephen L.		Zenodo	biologists	Püschel, Hans P.;Shelley, Sarah L.;Williamson, Thomas E.;Perini, Fernando A.;Wible, John R.;Brusatte, Stephen L.			
03E487FEFFC0FF83CE7D9B62AA2B26A2.taxon	http://purl.org/dc/dcmitype/StillImage	image/png	https://zenodo.org/record/13774719/files/figure.png	https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.13774719	Figure 1. Phylogenies of the order Litopterna illustrating its interordinal relationships (A–B) and its interfamilial relationships (C–D). A, Buckley (2015) phylogeny.B, Westbury et al. (2017) phylogeny. C, Cifelli (1993) phylogeny. D, Bonaparte and Morales (1997) phylogeny. Different colours in the branches indicate different families or orders: blue Adianthidae; brown, Notopterna; green, Proterotheriidae; red, Macraucheniidae; yellow, Sparnotheriodontidae. Litopterna is indicated with a star, but other nodes or tips of relevance are indicated in circles: blue, orders; orange, suborders; pink, superfamilies; black, families; green, non-defined rank.Abbreviations:Ad, Adianthidae; An, Anisolambdidae; Di, Didolodontidae; I, Indaleciidae; L, Litopterna; Lo, Lopholipterna; Ma, Macraucheniidae; Mo, Macrauchenoidea; Nu, Notoungulata; Pa, Panperissodactyla; Pe, Proterotheriidae; Po, Protolipternidae; S, Sparnotheriodontidae.	Figure 1. Phylogenies of the order Litopterna illustrating its interordinal relationships (A–B) and its interfamilial relationships (C–D). A, Buckley (2015) phylogeny.B, Westbury et al. (2017) phylogeny. C, Cifelli (1993) phylogeny. D, Bonaparte and Morales (1997) phylogeny. Different colours in the branches indicate different families or orders: blue Adianthidae; brown, Notopterna; green, Proterotheriidae; red, Macraucheniidae; yellow, Sparnotheriodontidae. Litopterna is indicated with a star, but other nodes or tips of relevance are indicated in circles: blue, orders; orange, suborders; pink, superfamilies; black, families; green, non-defined rank.Abbreviations:Ad, Adianthidae; An, Anisolambdidae; Di, Didolodontidae; I, Indaleciidae; L, Litopterna; Lo, Lopholipterna; Ma, Macraucheniidae; Mo, Macrauchenoidea; Nu, Notoungulata; Pa, Panperissodactyla; Pe, Proterotheriidae; Po, Protolipternidae; S, Sparnotheriodontidae.	2024-09-07	Püschel, Hans P.;Shelley, Sarah L.;Williamson, Thomas E.;Perini, Fernando A.;Wible, John R.;Brusatte, Stephen L.		Zenodo	biologists	Püschel, Hans P.;Shelley, Sarah L.;Williamson, Thomas E.;Perini, Fernando A.;Wible, John R.;Brusatte, Stephen L.			
03E487FEFFC3FF82CF82999BA9FC2368.taxon	http://purl.org/dc/dcmitype/StillImage	image/png	https://zenodo.org/record/13774721/files/figure.png	https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.13774721	Figure 2. Diversity of litoptern and associated early SANU families expressed as the number of genera.A, pie chart expressing the relative diversity of each family. B, diversity over time of the different families of interest with colours corresponding to the families listed in (A). C, same as (B) but using a smoothing function that averages the different occurrences aiding the eye in seeing patterns. In (A) the number of genera for each family is indicated next to the name between brackets.In (C) the function geom_smooth from the R package ggplot v.3.4, method = loess and span = 0.5 was used.In (B) and (C) apart from the standard Periods, Epochs, and Ages below, the SALMAs are indicated in grey boxes crossing the plots. The Tiupampan and Peligran SALMAs and the Bonaerian and Lujanian SALMAs are taken as only two temporal units instead of four for the plots. The data on taxa and occurrences were taken from Supporting information, Table S1, and the temporal information on SALMAs were taken from Supporting information, File S6. Note that the two genera of ‘amilnedwarsids’ were not included in this plot.Note that in the Discussion section, we proposed to redefine the families Anisolambdidae and Sparnotheriodontidae as the subfamilies Anisolambdinae and Sparnotheriodontinae of the family Anisolambdidae. Abbreviations: Ba, Barrancan; Bo/Lu, Bonaerian and Lujanian; Cc, Colloncuran; Cd, Carodnia Zone; Ch, Chasicoan; Co, Colhuehuapian; Cp, Chapadmalalan; De, Deseadean; En, Ensenadan; Hu, Huayquerian; It, Itaboraian; La, Laventan; Ma, Marplatan; Mo, Montehermosan; Mu, Mustersan; Ri, Riochican; Sa, Sapoan; San, Santacrucian; Tg, Tinguirirican; Ti/Pe, Tiupampan and Peligran; Va, Vacan.	Figure 2. Diversity of litoptern and associated early SANU families expressed as the number of genera.A, pie chart expressing the relative diversity of each family. B, diversity over time of the different families of interest with colours corresponding to the families listed in (A). C, same as (B) but using a smoothing function that averages the different occurrences aiding the eye in seeing patterns. In (A) the number of genera for each family is indicated next to the name between brackets.In (C) the function geom_smooth from the R package ggplot v.3.4, method = loess and span = 0.5 was used.In (B) and (C) apart from the standard Periods, Epochs, and Ages below, the SALMAs are indicated in grey boxes crossing the plots. The Tiupampan and Peligran SALMAs and the Bonaerian and Lujanian SALMAs are taken as only two temporal units instead of four for the plots. The data on taxa and occurrences were taken from Supporting information, Table S1, and the temporal information on SALMAs were taken from Supporting information, File S6. Note that the two genera of ‘amilnedwarsids’ were not included in this plot.Note that in the Discussion section, we proposed to redefine the families Anisolambdidae and Sparnotheriodontidae as the subfamilies Anisolambdinae and Sparnotheriodontinae of the family Anisolambdidae. Abbreviations: Ba, Barrancan; Bo/Lu, Bonaerian and Lujanian; Cc, Colloncuran; Cd, Carodnia Zone; Ch, Chasicoan; Co, Colhuehuapian; Cp, Chapadmalalan; De, Deseadean; En, Ensenadan; Hu, Huayquerian; It, Itaboraian; La, Laventan; Ma, Marplatan; Mo, Montehermosan; Mu, Mustersan; Ri, Riochican; Sa, Sapoan; San, Santacrucian; Tg, Tinguirirican; Ti/Pe, Tiupampan and Peligran; Va, Vacan.	2024-09-07	Püschel, Hans P.;Shelley, Sarah L.;Williamson, Thomas E.;Perini, Fernando A.;Wible, John R.;Brusatte, Stephen L.		Zenodo	biologists	Püschel, Hans P.;Shelley, Sarah L.;Williamson, Thomas E.;Perini, Fernando A.;Wible, John R.;Brusatte, Stephen L.			
03E487FEFFC3FF9CCE5B9F05AA13276B.taxon	http://purl.org/dc/dcmitype/StillImage	image/png	https://zenodo.org/record/13774731/files/figure.png	https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.13774731	Figure 6. Right upper molars of relevant SANUs. A, P1–M3 of the indaleciid Indalecia grandensis in occlusal view [PVL 4186 (mirrored)]. B, crownless P1, and P2–M3 of the notonychopid Notonychops powelli in occlusal view [PVL 4298 (M1–M3 mirrored)]. C, crownless and broken M2, broken M1, and P5–P2 of the notonychopid Requisia vidmari in occlusal view (UNPSJB PV 944, crownless and broken M2, broken parastyle of M1, and P4–P5 (holotype); UNPSJB PV 947, broken M1; UNPSJB PV 945, P2). D, P1–M3 of Eoastrapostylops riolorense in occlusal view [PVL 4216 (holotype)]. E, P1–M3 of the notoungulate Simpsonotus praecursor in occlusal view [MLP 73-VII-3-11 (holotype; mirrored)]. F–G, unworn M1 or M2 of the notoungulate Henricosbornia sp. (MACN A 10717) in occlusal (F) and distoocclusal (G) views.H, P2–M3 of the astrapothere Trigonostylops wortmani (AMNH VP-28700). I, P5–M3 of the xenungulate Carodnia vieirai [cast of DGM 335M, P5–M2 (mirrored); cast of AMNH VP-49828, M3 (mirrored)]. J, P5–M3 of Propyrotherium saxeum [AMNH unnumbered (labelled as ‘O3’)], right M3 (there is a mesiobuccal portion missing); MLP 55-III-10-1a, right M1 or M2 (duplicated for illustrating M1–M2); MACN A 10929 (lectotype), left P5 (lectotype; mirrored). Relevant anatomical features of the dentition are labelled. More information on the specimens and observations are in Supporting information, File S2. The asterisks mark the hypocone and prehypocrista in notoungulates, as they could potentially not be homologous with the hypocone and prehypocrista in other SANUs, considering a different origin of the hypocone in notoungulates (see more in the Material and methods and in Supporting information, File S2). For information about the tooth position convention, check the Material and methods.Abbreviations:efx, ectoflexus; hy, hypocone; me, metacone; ms, mesostyle; mtl, metaconule; pa, paracone; pcg, precingulum; phyc, prehypocrista; pmlc, premetaconular crista (or crochet in notoungulates); pplc, preparaconular crista; pr, protocone; prl, paraconule; prt, protostyle; ps, parastyle; pscg, postcingulum; psmlc, postmetaconular crista; psprc, postprotocrista.Scale bars equal 1 cm.	Figure 6. Right upper molars of relevant SANUs. A, P1–M3 of the indaleciid Indalecia grandensis in occlusal view [PVL 4186 (mirrored)]. B, crownless P1, and P2–M3 of the notonychopid Notonychops powelli in occlusal view [PVL 4298 (M1–M3 mirrored)]. C, crownless and broken M2, broken M1, and P5–P2 of the notonychopid Requisia vidmari in occlusal view (UNPSJB PV 944, crownless and broken M2, broken parastyle of M1, and P4–P5 (holotype); UNPSJB PV 947, broken M1; UNPSJB PV 945, P2). D, P1–M3 of Eoastrapostylops riolorense in occlusal view [PVL 4216 (holotype)]. E, P1–M3 of the notoungulate Simpsonotus praecursor in occlusal view [MLP 73-VII-3-11 (holotype; mirrored)]. F–G, unworn M1 or M2 of the notoungulate Henricosbornia sp. (MACN A 10717) in occlusal (F) and distoocclusal (G) views.H, P2–M3 of the astrapothere Trigonostylops wortmani (AMNH VP-28700). I, P5–M3 of the xenungulate Carodnia vieirai [cast of DGM 335M, P5–M2 (mirrored); cast of AMNH VP-49828, M3 (mirrored)]. J, P5–M3 of Propyrotherium saxeum [AMNH unnumbered (labelled as ‘O3’)], right M3 (there is a mesiobuccal portion missing); MLP 55-III-10-1a, right M1 or M2 (duplicated for illustrating M1–M2); MACN A 10929 (lectotype), left P5 (lectotype; mirrored). Relevant anatomical features of the dentition are labelled. More information on the specimens and observations are in Supporting information, File S2. The asterisks mark the hypocone and prehypocrista in notoungulates, as they could potentially not be homologous with the hypocone and prehypocrista in other SANUs, considering a different origin of the hypocone in notoungulates (see more in the Material and methods and in Supporting information, File S2). For information about the tooth position convention, check the Material and methods.Abbreviations:efx, ectoflexus; hy, hypocone; me, metacone; ms, mesostyle; mtl, metaconule; pa, paracone; pcg, precingulum; phyc, prehypocrista; pmlc, premetaconular crista (or crochet in notoungulates); pplc, preparaconular crista; pr, protocone; prl, paraconule; prt, protostyle; ps, parastyle; pscg, postcingulum; psmlc, postmetaconular crista; psprc, postprotocrista.Scale bars equal 1 cm.	2024-09-07	Püschel, Hans P.;Shelley, Sarah L.;Williamson, Thomas E.;Perini, Fernando A.;Wible, John R.;Brusatte, Stephen L.		Zenodo	biologists	Püschel, Hans P.;Shelley, Sarah L.;Williamson, Thomas E.;Perini, Fernando A.;Wible, John R.;Brusatte, Stephen L.			
03E487FEFFC3FF9CCE5B9F05AA13276B.taxon	http://purl.org/dc/dcmitype/StillImage	image/png	https://zenodo.org/record/13774733/files/figure.png	https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.13774733	Figure 7. Right lower molars of relevant SANUs in occlusal view.A, p1–m3 of the indaleciid Indalecia grandensis [PVL 4186 (p1–p2 mirrored)]. B, p2–m3 of the notonychopid Notonychops powelli [PVL 4298 (mirrored)]. C, p1–m3 of the notoungulate Simpsonotus praecursor [MLP 73-VII-3-11 (holotype; mirrored)]. D, p1–m3 of the astrapothere Trigonostylops wortmani [MNHN.F.CAS188 (mirrored)]. E, p2– m3 of the xenungulate Etayoa bacatensis [cast of GM 32 (holotype; mirrored)]. F, p1–m3 of Eoastrapostylops riolorense [PVL 4216, p1–m2 (holotype; p1–p5, m2 mirrored); PVL 4216, m3. G, p4–m3 ofPropyrotherium saxeum [LIEB-PV 3200 (mirrored)].Relevant anatomical features of the dentition are labelled. More information on the specimens and observations are in Supporting information, File S2. The asterisk is labelling either a paracristid in H1 or a very reduced paraconid in H2 in Simpsonotus praecursor, the tested hypotheses in our analyses. The question mark (?) next to the paraconid of Simpsonotus praecursor is to reflect that in the H1 matrix, this cusp was scored as a paraconid, whereas in the H2 matrix it was scored as a twinned metaconid.For information about the tooth position convention, check the Material and methods. Abbreviations: end, entoconid; hlph, hypolophid; hyd, hypoconid; hyld, hypoconulid; med, metaconid; pad, paraconid; prd, protoconid; pscd, postcristid (or postentocristid). Scale bars equal 1 cm.	Figure 7. Right lower molars of relevant SANUs in occlusal view.A, p1–m3 of the indaleciid Indalecia grandensis [PVL 4186 (p1–p2 mirrored)]. B, p2–m3 of the notonychopid Notonychops powelli [PVL 4298 (mirrored)]. C, p1–m3 of the notoungulate Simpsonotus praecursor [MLP 73-VII-3-11 (holotype; mirrored)]. D, p1–m3 of the astrapothere Trigonostylops wortmani [MNHN.F.CAS188 (mirrored)]. E, p2– m3 of the xenungulate Etayoa bacatensis [cast of GM 32 (holotype; mirrored)]. F, p1–m3 of Eoastrapostylops riolorense [PVL 4216, p1–m2 (holotype; p1–p5, m2 mirrored); PVL 4216, m3. G, p4–m3 ofPropyrotherium saxeum [LIEB-PV 3200 (mirrored)].Relevant anatomical features of the dentition are labelled. More information on the specimens and observations are in Supporting information, File S2. The asterisk is labelling either a paracristid in H1 or a very reduced paraconid in H2 in Simpsonotus praecursor, the tested hypotheses in our analyses. The question mark (?) next to the paraconid of Simpsonotus praecursor is to reflect that in the H1 matrix, this cusp was scored as a paraconid, whereas in the H2 matrix it was scored as a twinned metaconid.For information about the tooth position convention, check the Material and methods. Abbreviations: end, entoconid; hlph, hypolophid; hyd, hypoconid; hyld, hypoconulid; med, metaconid; pad, paraconid; prd, protoconid; pscd, postcristid (or postentocristid). Scale bars equal 1 cm.	2024-09-07	Püschel, Hans P.;Shelley, Sarah L.;Williamson, Thomas E.;Perini, Fernando A.;Wible, John R.;Brusatte, Stephen L.		Zenodo	biologists	Püschel, Hans P.;Shelley, Sarah L.;Williamson, Thomas E.;Perini, Fernando A.;Wible, John R.;Brusatte, Stephen L.			
03E487FEFFC3FF9CCE5B9F05AA13276B.taxon	http://purl.org/dc/dcmitype/StillImage	image/png	https://zenodo.org/record/13774721/files/figure.png	https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.13774721	Figure 2. Diversity of litoptern and associated early SANU families expressed as the number of genera.A, pie chart expressing the relative diversity of each family. B, diversity over time of the different families of interest with colours corresponding to the families listed in (A). C, same as (B) but using a smoothing function that averages the different occurrences aiding the eye in seeing patterns. In (A) the number of genera for each family is indicated next to the name between brackets.In (C) the function geom_smooth from the R package ggplot v.3.4, method = loess and span = 0.5 was used.In (B) and (C) apart from the standard Periods, Epochs, and Ages below, the SALMAs are indicated in grey boxes crossing the plots. The Tiupampan and Peligran SALMAs and the Bonaerian and Lujanian SALMAs are taken as only two temporal units instead of four for the plots. The data on taxa and occurrences were taken from Supporting information, Table S1, and the temporal information on SALMAs were taken from Supporting information, File S6. Note that the two genera of ‘amilnedwarsids’ were not included in this plot.Note that in the Discussion section, we proposed to redefine the families Anisolambdidae and Sparnotheriodontidae as the subfamilies Anisolambdinae and Sparnotheriodontinae of the family Anisolambdidae. Abbreviations: Ba, Barrancan; Bo/Lu, Bonaerian and Lujanian; Cc, Colloncuran; Cd, Carodnia Zone; Ch, Chasicoan; Co, Colhuehuapian; Cp, Chapadmalalan; De, Deseadean; En, Ensenadan; Hu, Huayquerian; It, Itaboraian; La, Laventan; Ma, Marplatan; Mo, Montehermosan; Mu, Mustersan; Ri, Riochican; Sa, Sapoan; San, Santacrucian; Tg, Tinguirirican; Ti/Pe, Tiupampan and Peligran; Va, Vacan.	Figure 2. Diversity of litoptern and associated early SANU families expressed as the number of genera.A, pie chart expressing the relative diversity of each family. B, diversity over time of the different families of interest with colours corresponding to the families listed in (A). C, same as (B) but using a smoothing function that averages the different occurrences aiding the eye in seeing patterns. In (A) the number of genera for each family is indicated next to the name between brackets.In (C) the function geom_smooth from the R package ggplot v.3.4, method = loess and span = 0.5 was used.In (B) and (C) apart from the standard Periods, Epochs, and Ages below, the SALMAs are indicated in grey boxes crossing the plots. The Tiupampan and Peligran SALMAs and the Bonaerian and Lujanian SALMAs are taken as only two temporal units instead of four for the plots. The data on taxa and occurrences were taken from Supporting information, Table S1, and the temporal information on SALMAs were taken from Supporting information, File S6. Note that the two genera of ‘amilnedwarsids’ were not included in this plot.Note that in the Discussion section, we proposed to redefine the families Anisolambdidae and Sparnotheriodontidae as the subfamilies Anisolambdinae and Sparnotheriodontinae of the family Anisolambdidae. Abbreviations: Ba, Barrancan; Bo/Lu, Bonaerian and Lujanian; Cc, Colloncuran; Cd, Carodnia Zone; Ch, Chasicoan; Co, Colhuehuapian; Cp, Chapadmalalan; De, Deseadean; En, Ensenadan; Hu, Huayquerian; It, Itaboraian; La, Laventan; Ma, Marplatan; Mo, Montehermosan; Mu, Mustersan; Ri, Riochican; Sa, Sapoan; San, Santacrucian; Tg, Tinguirirican; Ti/Pe, Tiupampan and Peligran; Va, Vacan.	2024-09-07	Püschel, Hans P.;Shelley, Sarah L.;Williamson, Thomas E.;Perini, Fernando A.;Wible, John R.;Brusatte, Stephen L.		Zenodo	biologists	Püschel, Hans P.;Shelley, Sarah L.;Williamson, Thomas E.;Perini, Fernando A.;Wible, John R.;Brusatte, Stephen L.			
03E487FEFFC3FF9CCE5B9F05AA13276B.taxon	http://purl.org/dc/dcmitype/StillImage	image/png	https://zenodo.org/record/13774723/files/figure.png	https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.13774723	Figure 3. Dental nomenclature used in the text and the characters. A, right upper molar in occlusal view.B–D, right lower molars in occlusal view. The main cusps of the molars are highlighted in bold.The molars represent structures sometimes present in SANUs and with relevance in the character scoring of this study. The molars do not represent any particular SANU.Molars in A and B were partially based on drawings from Gelfo (2006). Abbreviations upper molar: ecg, buccal cingulum or ectocingulum; es, entostyle; hy, hypocone; hys, hypostyle; me, metacone; ms, mesostyle; mt, metastyle; mtl, metaconule; pa, paracone; pcg, precingulum; phyc, prehypocrista; pmc, premetacrista; pmlc, premetaconular crista; ppc, preparacrista (or paracrista); pplc, preparaconular crista; pprc, preprotocrista; pr, protocone; prl, paraconule; prt, protostyle; ps, parastyle; pscg, postcingulum; pshyc, posthypocrista; psmc, postmetacrista (or metacrista); psmlc, postmetaconular crista; pspc, postparacrista; psplc, postparaconular crista; psprc, postprotocrista. Abbreviations lower molar: co, cristid obliqua; encd, entocristid; end, entoconid; dbgd, distobuccal cingulid; dlgd, distolingual cingulid; hlph, hypolophid; hycd, hypocristid; hyd, hypoconid; hyld, hypoconulid; mbgd, mesiobuccal cingulid; med, metaconid; mlgd, mesiolingual cingulid; mlph, mesolophid; msd, mesoconid; pacd, paracristid; pad, paraconid; peld, preentoconulid; pmcd, premetacristid; prcd, protocristid; prd, protoconid; prgd, precingulid; pscd, postcristid (or postentocristid); pseld, postentoconulid; psgd, postcingulid; psmcd, postmetacristid.	Figure 3. Dental nomenclature used in the text and the characters. A, right upper molar in occlusal view.B–D, right lower molars in occlusal view. The main cusps of the molars are highlighted in bold.The molars represent structures sometimes present in SANUs and with relevance in the character scoring of this study. The molars do not represent any particular SANU.Molars in A and B were partially based on drawings from Gelfo (2006). Abbreviations upper molar: ecg, buccal cingulum or ectocingulum; es, entostyle; hy, hypocone; hys, hypostyle; me, metacone; ms, mesostyle; mt, metastyle; mtl, metaconule; pa, paracone; pcg, precingulum; phyc, prehypocrista; pmc, premetacrista; pmlc, premetaconular crista; ppc, preparacrista (or paracrista); pplc, preparaconular crista; pprc, preprotocrista; pr, protocone; prl, paraconule; prt, protostyle; ps, parastyle; pscg, postcingulum; pshyc, posthypocrista; psmc, postmetacrista (or metacrista); psmlc, postmetaconular crista; pspc, postparacrista; psplc, postparaconular crista; psprc, postprotocrista. Abbreviations lower molar: co, cristid obliqua; encd, entocristid; end, entoconid; dbgd, distobuccal cingulid; dlgd, distolingual cingulid; hlph, hypolophid; hycd, hypocristid; hyd, hypoconid; hyld, hypoconulid; mbgd, mesiobuccal cingulid; med, metaconid; mlgd, mesiolingual cingulid; mlph, mesolophid; msd, mesoconid; pacd, paracristid; pad, paraconid; peld, preentoconulid; pmcd, premetacristid; prcd, protocristid; prd, protoconid; prgd, precingulid; pscd, postcristid (or postentocristid); pseld, postentoconulid; psgd, postcingulid; psmcd, postmetacristid.	2024-09-07	Püschel, Hans P.;Shelley, Sarah L.;Williamson, Thomas E.;Perini, Fernando A.;Wible, John R.;Brusatte, Stephen L.		Zenodo	biologists	Püschel, Hans P.;Shelley, Sarah L.;Williamson, Thomas E.;Perini, Fernando A.;Wible, John R.;Brusatte, Stephen L.			
03E487FEFFC3FF9CCE5B9F05AA13276B.taxon	http://purl.org/dc/dcmitype/StillImage	image/png	https://zenodo.org/record/13774719/files/figure.png	https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.13774719	Figure 1. Phylogenies of the order Litopterna illustrating its interordinal relationships (A–B) and its interfamilial relationships (C–D). A, Buckley (2015) phylogeny.B, Westbury et al. (2017) phylogeny. C, Cifelli (1993) phylogeny. D, Bonaparte and Morales (1997) phylogeny. Different colours in the branches indicate different families or orders: blue Adianthidae; brown, Notopterna; green, Proterotheriidae; red, Macraucheniidae; yellow, Sparnotheriodontidae. Litopterna is indicated with a star, but other nodes or tips of relevance are indicated in circles: blue, orders; orange, suborders; pink, superfamilies; black, families; green, non-defined rank.Abbreviations:Ad, Adianthidae; An, Anisolambdidae; Di, Didolodontidae; I, Indaleciidae; L, Litopterna; Lo, Lopholipterna; Ma, Macraucheniidae; Mo, Macrauchenoidea; Nu, Notoungulata; Pa, Panperissodactyla; Pe, Proterotheriidae; Po, Protolipternidae; S, Sparnotheriodontidae.	Figure 1. Phylogenies of the order Litopterna illustrating its interordinal relationships (A–B) and its interfamilial relationships (C–D). A, Buckley (2015) phylogeny.B, Westbury et al. (2017) phylogeny. C, Cifelli (1993) phylogeny. D, Bonaparte and Morales (1997) phylogeny. Different colours in the branches indicate different families or orders: blue Adianthidae; brown, Notopterna; green, Proterotheriidae; red, Macraucheniidae; yellow, Sparnotheriodontidae. Litopterna is indicated with a star, but other nodes or tips of relevance are indicated in circles: blue, orders; orange, suborders; pink, superfamilies; black, families; green, non-defined rank.Abbreviations:Ad, Adianthidae; An, Anisolambdidae; Di, Didolodontidae; I, Indaleciidae; L, Litopterna; Lo, Lopholipterna; Ma, Macraucheniidae; Mo, Macrauchenoidea; Nu, Notoungulata; Pa, Panperissodactyla; Pe, Proterotheriidae; Po, Protolipternidae; S, Sparnotheriodontidae.	2024-09-07	Püschel, Hans P.;Shelley, Sarah L.;Williamson, Thomas E.;Perini, Fernando A.;Wible, John R.;Brusatte, Stephen L.		Zenodo	biologists	Püschel, Hans P.;Shelley, Sarah L.;Williamson, Thomas E.;Perini, Fernando A.;Wible, John R.;Brusatte, Stephen L.			
03E487FEFFDDFF9CCE779B3CAD3A264F.taxon	http://purl.org/dc/dcmitype/StillImage	image/png	https://zenodo.org/record/13774731/files/figure.png	https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.13774731	Figure 6. Right upper molars of relevant SANUs. A, P1–M3 of the indaleciid Indalecia grandensis in occlusal view [PVL 4186 (mirrored)]. B, crownless P1, and P2–M3 of the notonychopid Notonychops powelli in occlusal view [PVL 4298 (M1–M3 mirrored)]. C, crownless and broken M2, broken M1, and P5–P2 of the notonychopid Requisia vidmari in occlusal view (UNPSJB PV 944, crownless and broken M2, broken parastyle of M1, and P4–P5 (holotype); UNPSJB PV 947, broken M1; UNPSJB PV 945, P2). D, P1–M3 of Eoastrapostylops riolorense in occlusal view [PVL 4216 (holotype)]. E, P1–M3 of the notoungulate Simpsonotus praecursor in occlusal view [MLP 73-VII-3-11 (holotype; mirrored)]. F–G, unworn M1 or M2 of the notoungulate Henricosbornia sp. (MACN A 10717) in occlusal (F) and distoocclusal (G) views.H, P2–M3 of the astrapothere Trigonostylops wortmani (AMNH VP-28700). I, P5–M3 of the xenungulate Carodnia vieirai [cast of DGM 335M, P5–M2 (mirrored); cast of AMNH VP-49828, M3 (mirrored)]. J, P5–M3 of Propyrotherium saxeum [AMNH unnumbered (labelled as ‘O3’)], right M3 (there is a mesiobuccal portion missing); MLP 55-III-10-1a, right M1 or M2 (duplicated for illustrating M1–M2); MACN A 10929 (lectotype), left P5 (lectotype; mirrored). Relevant anatomical features of the dentition are labelled. More information on the specimens and observations are in Supporting information, File S2. The asterisks mark the hypocone and prehypocrista in notoungulates, as they could potentially not be homologous with the hypocone and prehypocrista in other SANUs, considering a different origin of the hypocone in notoungulates (see more in the Material and methods and in Supporting information, File S2). For information about the tooth position convention, check the Material and methods.Abbreviations:efx, ectoflexus; hy, hypocone; me, metacone; ms, mesostyle; mtl, metaconule; pa, paracone; pcg, precingulum; phyc, prehypocrista; pmlc, premetaconular crista (or crochet in notoungulates); pplc, preparaconular crista; pr, protocone; prl, paraconule; prt, protostyle; ps, parastyle; pscg, postcingulum; psmlc, postmetaconular crista; psprc, postprotocrista.Scale bars equal 1 cm.	Figure 6. Right upper molars of relevant SANUs. A, P1–M3 of the indaleciid Indalecia grandensis in occlusal view [PVL 4186 (mirrored)]. B, crownless P1, and P2–M3 of the notonychopid Notonychops powelli in occlusal view [PVL 4298 (M1–M3 mirrored)]. C, crownless and broken M2, broken M1, and P5–P2 of the notonychopid Requisia vidmari in occlusal view (UNPSJB PV 944, crownless and broken M2, broken parastyle of M1, and P4–P5 (holotype); UNPSJB PV 947, broken M1; UNPSJB PV 945, P2). D, P1–M3 of Eoastrapostylops riolorense in occlusal view [PVL 4216 (holotype)]. E, P1–M3 of the notoungulate Simpsonotus praecursor in occlusal view [MLP 73-VII-3-11 (holotype; mirrored)]. F–G, unworn M1 or M2 of the notoungulate Henricosbornia sp. (MACN A 10717) in occlusal (F) and distoocclusal (G) views.H, P2–M3 of the astrapothere Trigonostylops wortmani (AMNH VP-28700). I, P5–M3 of the xenungulate Carodnia vieirai [cast of DGM 335M, P5–M2 (mirrored); cast of AMNH VP-49828, M3 (mirrored)]. J, P5–M3 of Propyrotherium saxeum [AMNH unnumbered (labelled as ‘O3’)], right M3 (there is a mesiobuccal portion missing); MLP 55-III-10-1a, right M1 or M2 (duplicated for illustrating M1–M2); MACN A 10929 (lectotype), left P5 (lectotype; mirrored). Relevant anatomical features of the dentition are labelled. More information on the specimens and observations are in Supporting information, File S2. The asterisks mark the hypocone and prehypocrista in notoungulates, as they could potentially not be homologous with the hypocone and prehypocrista in other SANUs, considering a different origin of the hypocone in notoungulates (see more in the Material and methods and in Supporting information, File S2). For information about the tooth position convention, check the Material and methods.Abbreviations:efx, ectoflexus; hy, hypocone; me, metacone; ms, mesostyle; mtl, metaconule; pa, paracone; pcg, precingulum; phyc, prehypocrista; pmlc, premetaconular crista (or crochet in notoungulates); pplc, preparaconular crista; pr, protocone; prl, paraconule; prt, protostyle; ps, parastyle; pscg, postcingulum; psmlc, postmetaconular crista; psprc, postprotocrista.Scale bars equal 1 cm.	2024-09-07	Püschel, Hans P.;Shelley, Sarah L.;Williamson, Thomas E.;Perini, Fernando A.;Wible, John R.;Brusatte, Stephen L.		Zenodo	biologists	Püschel, Hans P.;Shelley, Sarah L.;Williamson, Thomas E.;Perini, Fernando A.;Wible, John R.;Brusatte, Stephen L.			
03E487FEFFDDFF9CCE779B3CAD3A264F.taxon	http://purl.org/dc/dcmitype/StillImage	image/png	https://zenodo.org/record/13774733/files/figure.png	https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.13774733	Figure 7. Right lower molars of relevant SANUs in occlusal view.A, p1–m3 of the indaleciid Indalecia grandensis [PVL 4186 (p1–p2 mirrored)]. B, p2–m3 of the notonychopid Notonychops powelli [PVL 4298 (mirrored)]. C, p1–m3 of the notoungulate Simpsonotus praecursor [MLP 73-VII-3-11 (holotype; mirrored)]. D, p1–m3 of the astrapothere Trigonostylops wortmani [MNHN.F.CAS188 (mirrored)]. E, p2– m3 of the xenungulate Etayoa bacatensis [cast of GM 32 (holotype; mirrored)]. F, p1–m3 of Eoastrapostylops riolorense [PVL 4216, p1–m2 (holotype; p1–p5, m2 mirrored); PVL 4216, m3. G, p4–m3 ofPropyrotherium saxeum [LIEB-PV 3200 (mirrored)].Relevant anatomical features of the dentition are labelled. More information on the specimens and observations are in Supporting information, File S2. The asterisk is labelling either a paracristid in H1 or a very reduced paraconid in H2 in Simpsonotus praecursor, the tested hypotheses in our analyses. The question mark (?) next to the paraconid of Simpsonotus praecursor is to reflect that in the H1 matrix, this cusp was scored as a paraconid, whereas in the H2 matrix it was scored as a twinned metaconid.For information about the tooth position convention, check the Material and methods. Abbreviations: end, entoconid; hlph, hypolophid; hyd, hypoconid; hyld, hypoconulid; med, metaconid; pad, paraconid; prd, protoconid; pscd, postcristid (or postentocristid). Scale bars equal 1 cm.	Figure 7. Right lower molars of relevant SANUs in occlusal view.A, p1–m3 of the indaleciid Indalecia grandensis [PVL 4186 (p1–p2 mirrored)]. B, p2–m3 of the notonychopid Notonychops powelli [PVL 4298 (mirrored)]. C, p1–m3 of the notoungulate Simpsonotus praecursor [MLP 73-VII-3-11 (holotype; mirrored)]. D, p1–m3 of the astrapothere Trigonostylops wortmani [MNHN.F.CAS188 (mirrored)]. E, p2– m3 of the xenungulate Etayoa bacatensis [cast of GM 32 (holotype; mirrored)]. F, p1–m3 of Eoastrapostylops riolorense [PVL 4216, p1–m2 (holotype; p1–p5, m2 mirrored); PVL 4216, m3. G, p4–m3 ofPropyrotherium saxeum [LIEB-PV 3200 (mirrored)].Relevant anatomical features of the dentition are labelled. More information on the specimens and observations are in Supporting information, File S2. The asterisk is labelling either a paracristid in H1 or a very reduced paraconid in H2 in Simpsonotus praecursor, the tested hypotheses in our analyses. The question mark (?) next to the paraconid of Simpsonotus praecursor is to reflect that in the H1 matrix, this cusp was scored as a paraconid, whereas in the H2 matrix it was scored as a twinned metaconid.For information about the tooth position convention, check the Material and methods. Abbreviations: end, entoconid; hlph, hypolophid; hyd, hypoconid; hyld, hypoconulid; med, metaconid; pad, paraconid; prd, protoconid; pscd, postcristid (or postentocristid). Scale bars equal 1 cm.	2024-09-07	Püschel, Hans P.;Shelley, Sarah L.;Williamson, Thomas E.;Perini, Fernando A.;Wible, John R.;Brusatte, Stephen L.		Zenodo	biologists	Püschel, Hans P.;Shelley, Sarah L.;Williamson, Thomas E.;Perini, Fernando A.;Wible, John R.;Brusatte, Stephen L.			
03E487FEFFDDFF9CCE779B3CAD3A264F.taxon	http://purl.org/dc/dcmitype/StillImage	image/png	https://zenodo.org/record/13774721/files/figure.png	https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.13774721	Figure 2. Diversity of litoptern and associated early SANU families expressed as the number of genera.A, pie chart expressing the relative diversity of each family. B, diversity over time of the different families of interest with colours corresponding to the families listed in (A). C, same as (B) but using a smoothing function that averages the different occurrences aiding the eye in seeing patterns. In (A) the number of genera for each family is indicated next to the name between brackets.In (C) the function geom_smooth from the R package ggplot v.3.4, method = loess and span = 0.5 was used.In (B) and (C) apart from the standard Periods, Epochs, and Ages below, the SALMAs are indicated in grey boxes crossing the plots. The Tiupampan and Peligran SALMAs and the Bonaerian and Lujanian SALMAs are taken as only two temporal units instead of four for the plots. The data on taxa and occurrences were taken from Supporting information, Table S1, and the temporal information on SALMAs were taken from Supporting information, File S6. Note that the two genera of ‘amilnedwarsids’ were not included in this plot.Note that in the Discussion section, we proposed to redefine the families Anisolambdidae and Sparnotheriodontidae as the subfamilies Anisolambdinae and Sparnotheriodontinae of the family Anisolambdidae. Abbreviations: Ba, Barrancan; Bo/Lu, Bonaerian and Lujanian; Cc, Colloncuran; Cd, Carodnia Zone; Ch, Chasicoan; Co, Colhuehuapian; Cp, Chapadmalalan; De, Deseadean; En, Ensenadan; Hu, Huayquerian; It, Itaboraian; La, Laventan; Ma, Marplatan; Mo, Montehermosan; Mu, Mustersan; Ri, Riochican; Sa, Sapoan; San, Santacrucian; Tg, Tinguirirican; Ti/Pe, Tiupampan and Peligran; Va, Vacan.	Figure 2. Diversity of litoptern and associated early SANU families expressed as the number of genera.A, pie chart expressing the relative diversity of each family. B, diversity over time of the different families of interest with colours corresponding to the families listed in (A). C, same as (B) but using a smoothing function that averages the different occurrences aiding the eye in seeing patterns. In (A) the number of genera for each family is indicated next to the name between brackets.In (C) the function geom_smooth from the R package ggplot v.3.4, method = loess and span = 0.5 was used.In (B) and (C) apart from the standard Periods, Epochs, and Ages below, the SALMAs are indicated in grey boxes crossing the plots. The Tiupampan and Peligran SALMAs and the Bonaerian and Lujanian SALMAs are taken as only two temporal units instead of four for the plots. The data on taxa and occurrences were taken from Supporting information, Table S1, and the temporal information on SALMAs were taken from Supporting information, File S6. Note that the two genera of ‘amilnedwarsids’ were not included in this plot.Note that in the Discussion section, we proposed to redefine the families Anisolambdidae and Sparnotheriodontidae as the subfamilies Anisolambdinae and Sparnotheriodontinae of the family Anisolambdidae. Abbreviations: Ba, Barrancan; Bo/Lu, Bonaerian and Lujanian; Cc, Colloncuran; Cd, Carodnia Zone; Ch, Chasicoan; Co, Colhuehuapian; Cp, Chapadmalalan; De, Deseadean; En, Ensenadan; Hu, Huayquerian; It, Itaboraian; La, Laventan; Ma, Marplatan; Mo, Montehermosan; Mu, Mustersan; Ri, Riochican; Sa, Sapoan; San, Santacrucian; Tg, Tinguirirican; Ti/Pe, Tiupampan and Peligran; Va, Vacan.	2024-09-07	Püschel, Hans P.;Shelley, Sarah L.;Williamson, Thomas E.;Perini, Fernando A.;Wible, John R.;Brusatte, Stephen L.		Zenodo	biologists	Püschel, Hans P.;Shelley, Sarah L.;Williamson, Thomas E.;Perini, Fernando A.;Wible, John R.;Brusatte, Stephen L.			
03E487FEFFDDFF9CCE779B3CAD3A264F.taxon	http://purl.org/dc/dcmitype/StillImage	image/png	https://zenodo.org/record/13774719/files/figure.png	https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.13774719	Figure 1. Phylogenies of the order Litopterna illustrating its interordinal relationships (A–B) and its interfamilial relationships (C–D). A, Buckley (2015) phylogeny.B, Westbury et al. (2017) phylogeny. C, Cifelli (1993) phylogeny. D, Bonaparte and Morales (1997) phylogeny. Different colours in the branches indicate different families or orders: blue Adianthidae; brown, Notopterna; green, Proterotheriidae; red, Macraucheniidae; yellow, Sparnotheriodontidae. Litopterna is indicated with a star, but other nodes or tips of relevance are indicated in circles: blue, orders; orange, suborders; pink, superfamilies; black, families; green, non-defined rank.Abbreviations:Ad, Adianthidae; An, Anisolambdidae; Di, Didolodontidae; I, Indaleciidae; L, Litopterna; Lo, Lopholipterna; Ma, Macraucheniidae; Mo, Macrauchenoidea; Nu, Notoungulata; Pa, Panperissodactyla; Pe, Proterotheriidae; Po, Protolipternidae; S, Sparnotheriodontidae.	Figure 1. Phylogenies of the order Litopterna illustrating its interordinal relationships (A–B) and its interfamilial relationships (C–D). A, Buckley (2015) phylogeny.B, Westbury et al. (2017) phylogeny. C, Cifelli (1993) phylogeny. D, Bonaparte and Morales (1997) phylogeny. Different colours in the branches indicate different families or orders: blue Adianthidae; brown, Notopterna; green, Proterotheriidae; red, Macraucheniidae; yellow, Sparnotheriodontidae. Litopterna is indicated with a star, but other nodes or tips of relevance are indicated in circles: blue, orders; orange, suborders; pink, superfamilies; black, families; green, non-defined rank.Abbreviations:Ad, Adianthidae; An, Anisolambdidae; Di, Didolodontidae; I, Indaleciidae; L, Litopterna; Lo, Lopholipterna; Ma, Macraucheniidae; Mo, Macrauchenoidea; Nu, Notoungulata; Pa, Panperissodactyla; Pe, Proterotheriidae; Po, Protolipternidae; S, Sparnotheriodontidae.	2024-09-07	Püschel, Hans P.;Shelley, Sarah L.;Williamson, Thomas E.;Perini, Fernando A.;Wible, John R.;Brusatte, Stephen L.		Zenodo	biologists	Püschel, Hans P.;Shelley, Sarah L.;Williamson, Thomas E.;Perini, Fernando A.;Wible, John R.;Brusatte, Stephen L.			
03E487FEFFDDFF98CCA29A59A919272A.taxon	http://purl.org/dc/dcmitype/StillImage	image/png	https://zenodo.org/record/13774735/files/figure.png	https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.13774735	Figure 8. Right upper molars of South American ‘condylarths’ and ‘didolodontids’. A, P4–M3 of Molinodus suarezi in occlusal view [cast of MHNC 1247, P4–M2; cast of MNHN 13870, M3 (mirrored)]. B, roots of M1, M2–M3 of Escribania chubutensis in occlusal view (MLP 90–II-12–68, roots of M1 and M2 (mirrored); MLP 90–II-12–63, M3). C–D, M2 of Raulvaccia peligrensis [MLP 90-II-12- 70 (mirrored)] in occlusal (C) and distoocclusal (D) views. E, P4–M3 of Ricardocifellia protocenica in occlusal view [cast of DNPM 908M, P5–M3 (mirrored); cast of MNRJ 1461-V (mirrored)]. F, M2 of Lamegoia conodonta Paula Couto, 1952 in occlusal view (cast of MNRJ 1465-V). G, P1–M3 of Didolodus multicuspis in occlusal view [MACN 10690, P2–M3 (holotype; mirrored); MACN A 10738, P1]. H, P5–M3 of Protolipterna ellipsodontoides in occlusal view [DNPM LE 444I (mirrored)]. I, P4–M3 of Asmithwoodwardia scotti in occlusal view [DGM 358M (holotype; mirrored)]. J, P2, alveoli of P4–P5, and M1–M3 of Miguelsoria parayiruhnor in occlusal view [MNRJ 4094V (mirrored)]. More information on the specimens and observations are in Supporting information, File S2. Note that the M2 of Molinodus suarezi (A) and the M2 of Lamegoia conodonta (B) present a duplication of their protocone (pr1 and pr2); in the former, this is insipient, and in the latter, it forms a pseudohypocone. For information about the tooth position convention, check the Material and methods. Abbreviations: hy, hypocone; hys, hypostyle; me, metacone; ms, mesostyle; mtl, metaconule; pa, paracone; phy, pseudohypocone; phyc, prehypocrista; pshyc, posthypocrista; pmlc, premetaconular crista; pplc, preparaconular crista; pr, protocone; prl, paraconule; ps, parastyle; pscg, postcingulum; psmlc, postmetaconular crista.Scale bars equal 1 cm.	Figure 8. Right upper molars of South American ‘condylarths’ and ‘didolodontids’. A, P4–M3 of Molinodus suarezi in occlusal view [cast of MHNC 1247, P4–M2; cast of MNHN 13870, M3 (mirrored)]. B, roots of M1, M2–M3 of Escribania chubutensis in occlusal view (MLP 90–II-12–68, roots of M1 and M2 (mirrored); MLP 90–II-12–63, M3). C–D, M2 of Raulvaccia peligrensis [MLP 90-II-12- 70 (mirrored)] in occlusal (C) and distoocclusal (D) views. E, P4–M3 of Ricardocifellia protocenica in occlusal view [cast of DNPM 908M, P5–M3 (mirrored); cast of MNRJ 1461-V (mirrored)]. F, M2 of Lamegoia conodonta Paula Couto, 1952 in occlusal view (cast of MNRJ 1465-V). G, P1–M3 of Didolodus multicuspis in occlusal view [MACN 10690, P2–M3 (holotype; mirrored); MACN A 10738, P1]. H, P5–M3 of Protolipterna ellipsodontoides in occlusal view [DNPM LE 444I (mirrored)]. I, P4–M3 of Asmithwoodwardia scotti in occlusal view [DGM 358M (holotype; mirrored)]. J, P2, alveoli of P4–P5, and M1–M3 of Miguelsoria parayiruhnor in occlusal view [MNRJ 4094V (mirrored)]. More information on the specimens and observations are in Supporting information, File S2. Note that the M2 of Molinodus suarezi (A) and the M2 of Lamegoia conodonta (B) present a duplication of their protocone (pr1 and pr2); in the former, this is insipient, and in the latter, it forms a pseudohypocone. For information about the tooth position convention, check the Material and methods. Abbreviations: hy, hypocone; hys, hypostyle; me, metacone; ms, mesostyle; mtl, metaconule; pa, paracone; phy, pseudohypocone; phyc, prehypocrista; pshyc, posthypocrista; pmlc, premetaconular crista; pplc, preparaconular crista; pr, protocone; prl, paraconule; ps, parastyle; pscg, postcingulum; psmlc, postmetaconular crista.Scale bars equal 1 cm.	2024-09-07	Püschel, Hans P.;Shelley, Sarah L.;Williamson, Thomas E.;Perini, Fernando A.;Wible, John R.;Brusatte, Stephen L.		Zenodo	biologists	Püschel, Hans P.;Shelley, Sarah L.;Williamson, Thomas E.;Perini, Fernando A.;Wible, John R.;Brusatte, Stephen L.			
03E487FEFFDDFF98CCA29A59A919272A.taxon	http://purl.org/dc/dcmitype/StillImage	image/png	https://zenodo.org/record/13774737/files/figure.png	https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.13774737	Figure 9. Right lower molars of South American ‘condylarths’ and ‘didolodontids’ in occlusal view.A, p4–m3 of Molinodus suarezi [cast of MHNC 13867 (mirrored)]. B, m2–m3 of Escribania chubutensis [UNPSJB PV 916 (holotype; mirrored)]. C, talonid of m2, and m3 of Raulvaccia peligrensis [MLP 90−II−12−69 (mirrored)]. D, P5–M3 of Ricardocifellia protocenica [MNRJ 1431-V, m1–m3 (mirrored); MNRJ 1450-V, p5 (mirrored)]. E, p2–m3 of Didolodus multicuspis (MACN A 10689). F, p2–m3 of Protolipterna ellipsodontoides [cast of DGM 1308M (mirrored)]. G, p1–m3 of Asmithwoodwardia scotti (cast of DGM 358M (holotype; mirrored)]. H, p4–m3 of Miguelsoria parayiruhnor (cast	Figure 9. Right lower molars of South American ‘condylarths’ and ‘didolodontids’ in occlusal view.A, p4–m3 of Molinodus suarezi [cast of MHNC 13867 (mirrored)]. B, m2–m3 of Escribania chubutensis [UNPSJB PV 916 (holotype; mirrored)]. C, talonid of m2, and m3 of Raulvaccia peligrensis [MLP 90−II−12−69 (mirrored)]. D, P5–M3 of Ricardocifellia protocenica [MNRJ 1431-V, m1–m3 (mirrored); MNRJ 1450-V, p5 (mirrored)]. E, p2–m3 of Didolodus multicuspis (MACN A 10689). F, p2–m3 of Protolipterna ellipsodontoides [cast of DGM 1308M (mirrored)]. G, p1–m3 of Asmithwoodwardia scotti (cast of DGM 358M (holotype; mirrored)]. H, p4–m3 of Miguelsoria parayiruhnor (cast	2024-09-07	Püschel, Hans P.;Shelley, Sarah L.;Williamson, Thomas E.;Perini, Fernando A.;Wible, John R.;Brusatte, Stephen L.		Zenodo	biologists	Püschel, Hans P.;Shelley, Sarah L.;Williamson, Thomas E.;Perini, Fernando A.;Wible, John R.;Brusatte, Stephen L.			
03E487FEFFDDFF98CCA29A59A919272A.taxon	http://purl.org/dc/dcmitype/StillImage	image/png	https://zenodo.org/record/13774721/files/figure.png	https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.13774721	Figure 2. Diversity of litoptern and associated early SANU families expressed as the number of genera.A, pie chart expressing the relative diversity of each family. B, diversity over time of the different families of interest with colours corresponding to the families listed in (A). C, same as (B) but using a smoothing function that averages the different occurrences aiding the eye in seeing patterns. In (A) the number of genera for each family is indicated next to the name between brackets.In (C) the function geom_smooth from the R package ggplot v.3.4, method = loess and span = 0.5 was used.In (B) and (C) apart from the standard Periods, Epochs, and Ages below, the SALMAs are indicated in grey boxes crossing the plots. The Tiupampan and Peligran SALMAs and the Bonaerian and Lujanian SALMAs are taken as only two temporal units instead of four for the plots. The data on taxa and occurrences were taken from Supporting information, Table S1, and the temporal information on SALMAs were taken from Supporting information, File S6. Note that the two genera of ‘amilnedwarsids’ were not included in this plot.Note that in the Discussion section, we proposed to redefine the families Anisolambdidae and Sparnotheriodontidae as the subfamilies Anisolambdinae and Sparnotheriodontinae of the family Anisolambdidae. Abbreviations: Ba, Barrancan; Bo/Lu, Bonaerian and Lujanian; Cc, Colloncuran; Cd, Carodnia Zone; Ch, Chasicoan; Co, Colhuehuapian; Cp, Chapadmalalan; De, Deseadean; En, Ensenadan; Hu, Huayquerian; It, Itaboraian; La, Laventan; Ma, Marplatan; Mo, Montehermosan; Mu, Mustersan; Ri, Riochican; Sa, Sapoan; San, Santacrucian; Tg, Tinguirirican; Ti/Pe, Tiupampan and Peligran; Va, Vacan.	Figure 2. Diversity of litoptern and associated early SANU families expressed as the number of genera.A, pie chart expressing the relative diversity of each family. B, diversity over time of the different families of interest with colours corresponding to the families listed in (A). C, same as (B) but using a smoothing function that averages the different occurrences aiding the eye in seeing patterns. In (A) the number of genera for each family is indicated next to the name between brackets.In (C) the function geom_smooth from the R package ggplot v.3.4, method = loess and span = 0.5 was used.In (B) and (C) apart from the standard Periods, Epochs, and Ages below, the SALMAs are indicated in grey boxes crossing the plots. The Tiupampan and Peligran SALMAs and the Bonaerian and Lujanian SALMAs are taken as only two temporal units instead of four for the plots. The data on taxa and occurrences were taken from Supporting information, Table S1, and the temporal information on SALMAs were taken from Supporting information, File S6. Note that the two genera of ‘amilnedwarsids’ were not included in this plot.Note that in the Discussion section, we proposed to redefine the families Anisolambdidae and Sparnotheriodontidae as the subfamilies Anisolambdinae and Sparnotheriodontinae of the family Anisolambdidae. Abbreviations: Ba, Barrancan; Bo/Lu, Bonaerian and Lujanian; Cc, Colloncuran; Cd, Carodnia Zone; Ch, Chasicoan; Co, Colhuehuapian; Cp, Chapadmalalan; De, Deseadean; En, Ensenadan; Hu, Huayquerian; It, Itaboraian; La, Laventan; Ma, Marplatan; Mo, Montehermosan; Mu, Mustersan; Ri, Riochican; Sa, Sapoan; San, Santacrucian; Tg, Tinguirirican; Ti/Pe, Tiupampan and Peligran; Va, Vacan.	2024-09-07	Püschel, Hans P.;Shelley, Sarah L.;Williamson, Thomas E.;Perini, Fernando A.;Wible, John R.;Brusatte, Stephen L.		Zenodo	biologists	Püschel, Hans P.;Shelley, Sarah L.;Williamson, Thomas E.;Perini, Fernando A.;Wible, John R.;Brusatte, Stephen L.			
03E487FEFFDDFF98CCA29A59A919272A.taxon	http://purl.org/dc/dcmitype/StillImage	image/png	https://zenodo.org/record/13774719/files/figure.png	https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.13774719	Figure 1. Phylogenies of the order Litopterna illustrating its interordinal relationships (A–B) and its interfamilial relationships (C–D). A, Buckley (2015) phylogeny.B, Westbury et al. (2017) phylogeny. C, Cifelli (1993) phylogeny. D, Bonaparte and Morales (1997) phylogeny. Different colours in the branches indicate different families or orders: blue Adianthidae; brown, Notopterna; green, Proterotheriidae; red, Macraucheniidae; yellow, Sparnotheriodontidae. Litopterna is indicated with a star, but other nodes or tips of relevance are indicated in circles: blue, orders; orange, suborders; pink, superfamilies; black, families; green, non-defined rank.Abbreviations:Ad, Adianthidae; An, Anisolambdidae; Di, Didolodontidae; I, Indaleciidae; L, Litopterna; Lo, Lopholipterna; Ma, Macraucheniidae; Mo, Macrauchenoidea; Nu, Notoungulata; Pa, Panperissodactyla; Pe, Proterotheriidae; Po, Protolipternidae; S, Sparnotheriodontidae.	Figure 1. Phylogenies of the order Litopterna illustrating its interordinal relationships (A–B) and its interfamilial relationships (C–D). A, Buckley (2015) phylogeny.B, Westbury et al. (2017) phylogeny. C, Cifelli (1993) phylogeny. D, Bonaparte and Morales (1997) phylogeny. Different colours in the branches indicate different families or orders: blue Adianthidae; brown, Notopterna; green, Proterotheriidae; red, Macraucheniidae; yellow, Sparnotheriodontidae. Litopterna is indicated with a star, but other nodes or tips of relevance are indicated in circles: blue, orders; orange, suborders; pink, superfamilies; black, families; green, non-defined rank.Abbreviations:Ad, Adianthidae; An, Anisolambdidae; Di, Didolodontidae; I, Indaleciidae; L, Litopterna; Lo, Lopholipterna; Ma, Macraucheniidae; Mo, Macrauchenoidea; Nu, Notoungulata; Pa, Panperissodactyla; Pe, Proterotheriidae; Po, Protolipternidae; S, Sparnotheriodontidae.	2024-09-07	Püschel, Hans P.;Shelley, Sarah L.;Williamson, Thomas E.;Perini, Fernando A.;Wible, John R.;Brusatte, Stephen L.		Zenodo	biologists	Püschel, Hans P.;Shelley, Sarah L.;Williamson, Thomas E.;Perini, Fernando A.;Wible, John R.;Brusatte, Stephen L.			
03E487FEFFDDFF98CCA29A59A919272A.taxon	http://purl.org/dc/dcmitype/StillImage	image/png	https://zenodo.org/record/13774731/files/figure.png	https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.13774731	Figure 6. Right upper molars of relevant SANUs. A, P1–M3 of the indaleciid Indalecia grandensis in occlusal view [PVL 4186 (mirrored)]. B, crownless P1, and P2–M3 of the notonychopid Notonychops powelli in occlusal view [PVL 4298 (M1–M3 mirrored)]. C, crownless and broken M2, broken M1, and P5–P2 of the notonychopid Requisia vidmari in occlusal view (UNPSJB PV 944, crownless and broken M2, broken parastyle of M1, and P4–P5 (holotype); UNPSJB PV 947, broken M1; UNPSJB PV 945, P2). D, P1–M3 of Eoastrapostylops riolorense in occlusal view [PVL 4216 (holotype)]. E, P1–M3 of the notoungulate Simpsonotus praecursor in occlusal view [MLP 73-VII-3-11 (holotype; mirrored)]. F–G, unworn M1 or M2 of the notoungulate Henricosbornia sp. (MACN A 10717) in occlusal (F) and distoocclusal (G) views.H, P2–M3 of the astrapothere Trigonostylops wortmani (AMNH VP-28700). I, P5–M3 of the xenungulate Carodnia vieirai [cast of DGM 335M, P5–M2 (mirrored); cast of AMNH VP-49828, M3 (mirrored)]. J, P5–M3 of Propyrotherium saxeum [AMNH unnumbered (labelled as ‘O3’)], right M3 (there is a mesiobuccal portion missing); MLP 55-III-10-1a, right M1 or M2 (duplicated for illustrating M1–M2); MACN A 10929 (lectotype), left P5 (lectotype; mirrored). Relevant anatomical features of the dentition are labelled. More information on the specimens and observations are in Supporting information, File S2. The asterisks mark the hypocone and prehypocrista in notoungulates, as they could potentially not be homologous with the hypocone and prehypocrista in other SANUs, considering a different origin of the hypocone in notoungulates (see more in the Material and methods and in Supporting information, File S2). For information about the tooth position convention, check the Material and methods.Abbreviations:efx, ectoflexus; hy, hypocone; me, metacone; ms, mesostyle; mtl, metaconule; pa, paracone; pcg, precingulum; phyc, prehypocrista; pmlc, premetaconular crista (or crochet in notoungulates); pplc, preparaconular crista; pr, protocone; prl, paraconule; prt, protostyle; ps, parastyle; pscg, postcingulum; psmlc, postmetaconular crista; psprc, postprotocrista.Scale bars equal 1 cm.	Figure 6. Right upper molars of relevant SANUs. A, P1–M3 of the indaleciid Indalecia grandensis in occlusal view [PVL 4186 (mirrored)]. B, crownless P1, and P2–M3 of the notonychopid Notonychops powelli in occlusal view [PVL 4298 (M1–M3 mirrored)]. C, crownless and broken M2, broken M1, and P5–P2 of the notonychopid Requisia vidmari in occlusal view (UNPSJB PV 944, crownless and broken M2, broken parastyle of M1, and P4–P5 (holotype); UNPSJB PV 947, broken M1; UNPSJB PV 945, P2). D, P1–M3 of Eoastrapostylops riolorense in occlusal view [PVL 4216 (holotype)]. E, P1–M3 of the notoungulate Simpsonotus praecursor in occlusal view [MLP 73-VII-3-11 (holotype; mirrored)]. F–G, unworn M1 or M2 of the notoungulate Henricosbornia sp. (MACN A 10717) in occlusal (F) and distoocclusal (G) views.H, P2–M3 of the astrapothere Trigonostylops wortmani (AMNH VP-28700). I, P5–M3 of the xenungulate Carodnia vieirai [cast of DGM 335M, P5–M2 (mirrored); cast of AMNH VP-49828, M3 (mirrored)]. J, P5–M3 of Propyrotherium saxeum [AMNH unnumbered (labelled as ‘O3’)], right M3 (there is a mesiobuccal portion missing); MLP 55-III-10-1a, right M1 or M2 (duplicated for illustrating M1–M2); MACN A 10929 (lectotype), left P5 (lectotype; mirrored). Relevant anatomical features of the dentition are labelled. More information on the specimens and observations are in Supporting information, File S2. The asterisks mark the hypocone and prehypocrista in notoungulates, as they could potentially not be homologous with the hypocone and prehypocrista in other SANUs, considering a different origin of the hypocone in notoungulates (see more in the Material and methods and in Supporting information, File S2). For information about the tooth position convention, check the Material and methods.Abbreviations:efx, ectoflexus; hy, hypocone; me, metacone; ms, mesostyle; mtl, metaconule; pa, paracone; pcg, precingulum; phyc, prehypocrista; pmlc, premetaconular crista (or crochet in notoungulates); pplc, preparaconular crista; pr, protocone; prl, paraconule; prt, protostyle; ps, parastyle; pscg, postcingulum; psmlc, postmetaconular crista; psprc, postprotocrista.Scale bars equal 1 cm.	2024-09-07	Püschel, Hans P.;Shelley, Sarah L.;Williamson, Thomas E.;Perini, Fernando A.;Wible, John R.;Brusatte, Stephen L.		Zenodo	biologists	Püschel, Hans P.;Shelley, Sarah L.;Williamson, Thomas E.;Perini, Fernando A.;Wible, John R.;Brusatte, Stephen L.			
03E487FEFFDDFF98CCA29A59A919272A.taxon	http://purl.org/dc/dcmitype/StillImage	image/png	https://zenodo.org/record/13774733/files/figure.png	https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.13774733	Figure 7. Right lower molars of relevant SANUs in occlusal view.A, p1–m3 of the indaleciid Indalecia grandensis [PVL 4186 (p1–p2 mirrored)]. B, p2–m3 of the notonychopid Notonychops powelli [PVL 4298 (mirrored)]. C, p1–m3 of the notoungulate Simpsonotus praecursor [MLP 73-VII-3-11 (holotype; mirrored)]. D, p1–m3 of the astrapothere Trigonostylops wortmani [MNHN.F.CAS188 (mirrored)]. E, p2– m3 of the xenungulate Etayoa bacatensis [cast of GM 32 (holotype; mirrored)]. F, p1–m3 of Eoastrapostylops riolorense [PVL 4216, p1–m2 (holotype; p1–p5, m2 mirrored); PVL 4216, m3. G, p4–m3 ofPropyrotherium saxeum [LIEB-PV 3200 (mirrored)].Relevant anatomical features of the dentition are labelled. More information on the specimens and observations are in Supporting information, File S2. The asterisk is labelling either a paracristid in H1 or a very reduced paraconid in H2 in Simpsonotus praecursor, the tested hypotheses in our analyses. The question mark (?) next to the paraconid of Simpsonotus praecursor is to reflect that in the H1 matrix, this cusp was scored as a paraconid, whereas in the H2 matrix it was scored as a twinned metaconid.For information about the tooth position convention, check the Material and methods. Abbreviations: end, entoconid; hlph, hypolophid; hyd, hypoconid; hyld, hypoconulid; med, metaconid; pad, paraconid; prd, protoconid; pscd, postcristid (or postentocristid). Scale bars equal 1 cm.	Figure 7. Right lower molars of relevant SANUs in occlusal view.A, p1–m3 of the indaleciid Indalecia grandensis [PVL 4186 (p1–p2 mirrored)]. B, p2–m3 of the notonychopid Notonychops powelli [PVL 4298 (mirrored)]. C, p1–m3 of the notoungulate Simpsonotus praecursor [MLP 73-VII-3-11 (holotype; mirrored)]. D, p1–m3 of the astrapothere Trigonostylops wortmani [MNHN.F.CAS188 (mirrored)]. E, p2– m3 of the xenungulate Etayoa bacatensis [cast of GM 32 (holotype; mirrored)]. F, p1–m3 of Eoastrapostylops riolorense [PVL 4216, p1–m2 (holotype; p1–p5, m2 mirrored); PVL 4216, m3. G, p4–m3 ofPropyrotherium saxeum [LIEB-PV 3200 (mirrored)].Relevant anatomical features of the dentition are labelled. More information on the specimens and observations are in Supporting information, File S2. The asterisk is labelling either a paracristid in H1 or a very reduced paraconid in H2 in Simpsonotus praecursor, the tested hypotheses in our analyses. The question mark (?) next to the paraconid of Simpsonotus praecursor is to reflect that in the H1 matrix, this cusp was scored as a paraconid, whereas in the H2 matrix it was scored as a twinned metaconid.For information about the tooth position convention, check the Material and methods. Abbreviations: end, entoconid; hlph, hypolophid; hyd, hypoconid; hyld, hypoconulid; med, metaconid; pad, paraconid; prd, protoconid; pscd, postcristid (or postentocristid). Scale bars equal 1 cm.	2024-09-07	Püschel, Hans P.;Shelley, Sarah L.;Williamson, Thomas E.;Perini, Fernando A.;Wible, John R.;Brusatte, Stephen L.		Zenodo	biologists	Püschel, Hans P.;Shelley, Sarah L.;Williamson, Thomas E.;Perini, Fernando A.;Wible, John R.;Brusatte, Stephen L.			
03E487FEFFDDFF98CCA29A59A919272A.taxon	http://purl.org/dc/dcmitype/StillImage	image/png	https://zenodo.org/record/13774725/files/figure.png	https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.13774725	Figure 4. Right upper molars of Litopterna in occlusal view.A, M3 of Polymorphis ligatus (holotype, MLP 12-2169). B, M3 of Polymorphis? (AMNH-VP 29481). C, M2? of Polyacrodon lanciformis Roth, 1899 [MLP 12-2170 (mirrored)]. D, P1–M3 of Cramauchenia normalis (MLP 85-VII-3-38a). E, P1–M3 of Theosodon garretorum (FMNH P 13175). F, P5–M3 of Proectocion precisus (holotype; MACN A 10679). G, P2– M3 of Tricoelodus bicuspidatus [cast of MLP 61-IV-11-65 (P2–P4 mirrored)]. H, M3 of Proectocion argentinus (holotype; MACN A 10673). I, M1 of Lambdaconus suinus [MNHN.F.DES162 (mirrored)]. J, P1–M3 of Diadiaphorus majusculus (MLP 12-304). K, P4–M3 of Lambdaconus suinus (MACN A 52-198; P4 was mirrored). L, M1–M3 of Victorlemoinea prototypica (AMNH-VP 111963, M1 (cast of MNRJ specimen); cast of MNRJ 1470V, M2 (holotype; mirrored); cast of MNRJ 1472V, M3 (mirrored). M, M1–M3 of Paranisolambda prodromus (cast of DGM 304M, M1; cast of DGM 310M, M2–M3). N, P4–M3 ofAnisolambda sp. (MLP 59-II-28-68, P4-P5 (mirrored); MLP 59-II-24-453, M1; MNHN.F.CAS 486, M2 (mirrored); MNHN.F.CAS488, M3 (mirrored). O, P5? of Wainka tshotshe (holotype; AMNH VP-28505 (mirrored). Relevant anatomical features of the dentition are labelled. Taxa with two prehypocristae are numbered from buccal (phyc1) to lingual (phyc2). When there are two cristae originating from the same cusp, they are numbered. More information on the specimens and observations are in Supporting information, File S2. For information about the tooth position convention, check the Material and methods. Abbreviations: hy, hypocone; hys, hypostyle; me, metacone; ms, mesostyle; mtl, metaconule; pa, paracone; phyc, prehypocrista; pmc, premetacrista; pmlc, premetaconular crista; pplc, preparaconular crista; pr, protocone; prl, paraconule; prt, protostyle; psmlc, postmetaconular crista; psplc, postparaconular crista; psprc, postprotocrista. Scale bars equal 1 cm.	Figure 4. Right upper molars of Litopterna in occlusal view.A, M3 of Polymorphis ligatus (holotype, MLP 12-2169). B, M3 of Polymorphis? (AMNH-VP 29481). C, M2? of Polyacrodon lanciformis Roth, 1899 [MLP 12-2170 (mirrored)]. D, P1–M3 of Cramauchenia normalis (MLP 85-VII-3-38a). E, P1–M3 of Theosodon garretorum (FMNH P 13175). F, P5–M3 of Proectocion precisus (holotype; MACN A 10679). G, P2– M3 of Tricoelodus bicuspidatus [cast of MLP 61-IV-11-65 (P2–P4 mirrored)]. H, M3 of Proectocion argentinus (holotype; MACN A 10673). I, M1 of Lambdaconus suinus [MNHN.F.DES162 (mirrored)]. J, P1–M3 of Diadiaphorus majusculus (MLP 12-304). K, P4–M3 of Lambdaconus suinus (MACN A 52-198; P4 was mirrored). L, M1–M3 of Victorlemoinea prototypica (AMNH-VP 111963, M1 (cast of MNRJ specimen); cast of MNRJ 1470V, M2 (holotype; mirrored); cast of MNRJ 1472V, M3 (mirrored). M, M1–M3 of Paranisolambda prodromus (cast of DGM 304M, M1; cast of DGM 310M, M2–M3). N, P4–M3 ofAnisolambda sp. (MLP 59-II-28-68, P4-P5 (mirrored); MLP 59-II-24-453, M1; MNHN.F.CAS 486, M2 (mirrored); MNHN.F.CAS488, M3 (mirrored). O, P5? of Wainka tshotshe (holotype; AMNH VP-28505 (mirrored). Relevant anatomical features of the dentition are labelled. Taxa with two prehypocristae are numbered from buccal (phyc1) to lingual (phyc2). When there are two cristae originating from the same cusp, they are numbered. More information on the specimens and observations are in Supporting information, File S2. For information about the tooth position convention, check the Material and methods. Abbreviations: hy, hypocone; hys, hypostyle; me, metacone; ms, mesostyle; mtl, metaconule; pa, paracone; phyc, prehypocrista; pmc, premetacrista; pmlc, premetaconular crista; pplc, preparaconular crista; pr, protocone; prl, paraconule; prt, protostyle; psmlc, postmetaconular crista; psplc, postparaconular crista; psprc, postprotocrista. Scale bars equal 1 cm.	2024-09-07	Püschel, Hans P.;Shelley, Sarah L.;Williamson, Thomas E.;Perini, Fernando A.;Wible, John R.;Brusatte, Stephen L.		Zenodo	biologists	Püschel, Hans P.;Shelley, Sarah L.;Williamson, Thomas E.;Perini, Fernando A.;Wible, John R.;Brusatte, Stephen L.			
03E487FEFFDDFF98CCA29A59A919272A.taxon	http://purl.org/dc/dcmitype/StillImage	image/png	https://zenodo.org/record/13774729/files/figure.png	https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.13774729	Figure 5. Right lower molars of Litopterna in occlusal view.A, p1–p4 of Polymorphis lechei [holotype; MLP 12-2168 (mirrored)]. B, p1–m3 of Cramauchenia normalis [MNHN.F.COL181 (mirrored)]. C, m3 of Cramauchenia normalis (AMNH-VP 29753). D, p1–m3 of Theosodon lydekkeri [MACN A 24-90 (mirrored)]. E, m2–m3 of Proectocion sp. (MLP 59-II-28-107). F, p5–m3 of Tricoelodus bicuspidatus (MACN A 52-203, p5–m2 (holotype); cast of FMNH P14696, m3). G, p2–m3 of Proadiantus excavatus (MACN A 52-214). H, p1, dp2–dp5 and m1–m3 of Lambdaconus suinus (MACN A-52-199, p1, dp2–dp5 and m1–m2; MNHN.F.DES159, m3). I, p1–m3 of Diadiaphorus majusculus (MACN A 9180-82, p2–m3; YPM PU 15799, p1). J, m1–m3 of Anisolambda fissidens (MACN A 10668; holotype).K, m2–m3 of Paranisolambda prodromus (cast of MNRJ 1496V, m2 (mirrored); cast of MNRJ 1859V, m3 (mirrored). L, m2 of Victorlemoinea prototypica (MNRJ 1482V). M, p1–m3 of Sparnotheriodon epsilonoides (MACN 18225; holotype). N, O, m3 of Wainka tshotshe? [AMNH VP-29101 (mirrored)]. Relevant anatomical features of the dentition are labelled.More information on the specimens and observations are in Supporting information, File S2. For information about the tooth position convention, check the Material and methods. Abbreviations:end, entoconid; hlph, hypolophid; hyd, hypoconid; hyld, hypoconulid; med, metaconid; mlph, mesolophid; pad, paraconid; prd, protoconid; prgd, precingulid; psmcd, postmetacristid.Scale bars equal 1 cm.	Figure 5. Right lower molars of Litopterna in occlusal view.A, p1–p4 of Polymorphis lechei [holotype; MLP 12-2168 (mirrored)]. B, p1–m3 of Cramauchenia normalis [MNHN.F.COL181 (mirrored)]. C, m3 of Cramauchenia normalis (AMNH-VP 29753). D, p1–m3 of Theosodon lydekkeri [MACN A 24-90 (mirrored)]. E, m2–m3 of Proectocion sp. (MLP 59-II-28-107). F, p5–m3 of Tricoelodus bicuspidatus (MACN A 52-203, p5–m2 (holotype); cast of FMNH P14696, m3). G, p2–m3 of Proadiantus excavatus (MACN A 52-214). H, p1, dp2–dp5 and m1–m3 of Lambdaconus suinus (MACN A-52-199, p1, dp2–dp5 and m1–m2; MNHN.F.DES159, m3). I, p1–m3 of Diadiaphorus majusculus (MACN A 9180-82, p2–m3; YPM PU 15799, p1). J, m1–m3 of Anisolambda fissidens (MACN A 10668; holotype).K, m2–m3 of Paranisolambda prodromus (cast of MNRJ 1496V, m2 (mirrored); cast of MNRJ 1859V, m3 (mirrored). L, m2 of Victorlemoinea prototypica (MNRJ 1482V). M, p1–m3 of Sparnotheriodon epsilonoides (MACN 18225; holotype). N, O, m3 of Wainka tshotshe? [AMNH VP-29101 (mirrored)]. Relevant anatomical features of the dentition are labelled.More information on the specimens and observations are in Supporting information, File S2. For information about the tooth position convention, check the Material and methods. Abbreviations:end, entoconid; hlph, hypolophid; hyd, hypoconid; hyld, hypoconulid; med, metaconid; mlph, mesolophid; pad, paraconid; prd, protoconid; prgd, precingulid; psmcd, postmetacristid.Scale bars equal 1 cm.	2024-09-07	Püschel, Hans P.;Shelley, Sarah L.;Williamson, Thomas E.;Perini, Fernando A.;Wible, John R.;Brusatte, Stephen L.		Zenodo	biologists	Püschel, Hans P.;Shelley, Sarah L.;Williamson, Thomas E.;Perini, Fernando A.;Wible, John R.;Brusatte, Stephen L.			
03E487FEFFDDFF98CCA29A59A919272A.taxon	http://purl.org/dc/dcmitype/StillImage	image/png	https://zenodo.org/record/13774723/files/figure.png	https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.13774723	Figure 3. Dental nomenclature used in the text and the characters. A, right upper molar in occlusal view.B–D, right lower molars in occlusal view. The main cusps of the molars are highlighted in bold.The molars represent structures sometimes present in SANUs and with relevance in the character scoring of this study. The molars do not represent any particular SANU.Molars in A and B were partially based on drawings from Gelfo (2006). Abbreviations upper molar: ecg, buccal cingulum or ectocingulum; es, entostyle; hy, hypocone; hys, hypostyle; me, metacone; ms, mesostyle; mt, metastyle; mtl, metaconule; pa, paracone; pcg, precingulum; phyc, prehypocrista; pmc, premetacrista; pmlc, premetaconular crista; ppc, preparacrista (or paracrista); pplc, preparaconular crista; pprc, preprotocrista; pr, protocone; prl, paraconule; prt, protostyle; ps, parastyle; pscg, postcingulum; pshyc, posthypocrista; psmc, postmetacrista (or metacrista); psmlc, postmetaconular crista; pspc, postparacrista; psplc, postparaconular crista; psprc, postprotocrista. Abbreviations lower molar: co, cristid obliqua; encd, entocristid; end, entoconid; dbgd, distobuccal cingulid; dlgd, distolingual cingulid; hlph, hypolophid; hycd, hypocristid; hyd, hypoconid; hyld, hypoconulid; mbgd, mesiobuccal cingulid; med, metaconid; mlgd, mesiolingual cingulid; mlph, mesolophid; msd, mesoconid; pacd, paracristid; pad, paraconid; peld, preentoconulid; pmcd, premetacristid; prcd, protocristid; prd, protoconid; prgd, precingulid; pscd, postcristid (or postentocristid); pseld, postentoconulid; psgd, postcingulid; psmcd, postmetacristid.	Figure 3. Dental nomenclature used in the text and the characters. A, right upper molar in occlusal view.B–D, right lower molars in occlusal view. The main cusps of the molars are highlighted in bold.The molars represent structures sometimes present in SANUs and with relevance in the character scoring of this study. The molars do not represent any particular SANU.Molars in A and B were partially based on drawings from Gelfo (2006). Abbreviations upper molar: ecg, buccal cingulum or ectocingulum; es, entostyle; hy, hypocone; hys, hypostyle; me, metacone; ms, mesostyle; mt, metastyle; mtl, metaconule; pa, paracone; pcg, precingulum; phyc, prehypocrista; pmc, premetacrista; pmlc, premetaconular crista; ppc, preparacrista (or paracrista); pplc, preparaconular crista; pprc, preprotocrista; pr, protocone; prl, paraconule; prt, protostyle; ps, parastyle; pscg, postcingulum; pshyc, posthypocrista; psmc, postmetacrista (or metacrista); psmlc, postmetaconular crista; pspc, postparacrista; psplc, postparaconular crista; psprc, postprotocrista. Abbreviations lower molar: co, cristid obliqua; encd, entocristid; end, entoconid; dbgd, distobuccal cingulid; dlgd, distolingual cingulid; hlph, hypolophid; hycd, hypocristid; hyd, hypoconid; hyld, hypoconulid; mbgd, mesiobuccal cingulid; med, metaconid; mlgd, mesiolingual cingulid; mlph, mesolophid; msd, mesoconid; pacd, paracristid; pad, paraconid; peld, preentoconulid; pmcd, premetacristid; prcd, protocristid; prd, protoconid; prgd, precingulid; pscd, postcristid (or postentocristid); pseld, postentoconulid; psgd, postcingulid; psmcd, postmetacristid.	2024-09-07	Püschel, Hans P.;Shelley, Sarah L.;Williamson, Thomas E.;Perini, Fernando A.;Wible, John R.;Brusatte, Stephen L.		Zenodo	biologists	Püschel, Hans P.;Shelley, Sarah L.;Williamson, Thomas E.;Perini, Fernando A.;Wible, John R.;Brusatte, Stephen L.			
