A New Mammal-Like Reptile (Cynodontia) from Upper Triassic Maleri Formation of Pranhita-Godavari Valley, Andhra Pradesh

The fossil remains of mammal-Like reptiles (cynodonts) are recorded for the first time from the Upper Triassic Maleri Formation of Pranhita-Godavari Valley. The collection includes five well preserved specimens of postcanine teeth. In the shape of the crown, separation of cusps, absence of a constriction between crown and ischolar_main, and incipient division of the ischolar_main, the teeth closely resemble that of Microcondon. It is described as Deccanodon maleriensis gen. et. sp. nov and discussed. Early Jurassic mammals belonging to syrnmetrodont and triconodontid groups were earlier reported from the Kota Formation. The present discovery of cynodont teeth from older stratigraphic horizon (Triassic) assumes importance, as the study will help in understanding the origin and evolution of early mammals.