Reappraisal of Endotherium niinomii Shikama, 1947, a eutherian mammal from the Lower Cretaceous Fuxin Formation, Fuxin-Jinzhou Basin, Liaoning, China

Reinvestigation of the Early Cretaceous eutherian mammal Endotherium niinomii Shikama, 1947, based on the impressions of the type specimen, casts made from the impressions, and the original description, indicates that E. niinomii is characterized by the following characters: decrease in size from the m1 to the m3; a moderate height difference between the trigonid and talonid of lower molars; blunt lower molar cusps; the protoconid being the largest among the trigonid cusps; the paraconid being as tall as the metaconid; the p3 not being obviously reduced; and possible possession of five lower premolars. These characteristics clearly distinguish E. niinomii from other known Cretaceous eutherians, and support its taxonomic identity as a valid taxon.