Vulcanoscaptor

Vulcanoscaptor is an extinct genus of moles belonging to the family Talpidae. It is closely related to the modern genus Scalopus (Eastern mole) within the tribe Scalopini. Vulcanoscaptor is known from the early Pliocene Camp dels Ninots Konservat-Lagerstätten site of Spain. The genus contains a single species, Vulcanoscaptor ninoti, described in 2025. The holotype specimen, comprising a skull and mandible with associated forelimb and hindlimb bones and poorly preserved ribs, vertebrae, and pectoral girdle elements, is the most complete talpid from the Pliocene of Europe, as most specimens are isolated teeth and other fragmentary elements.^[1]

• 
  Holotype teeth and mandible
• 
  Reconstruction of the holotype forelimb

Vulcanoscaptor Temporal range: Lower Pliocene PreꞒ Ꞓ O S D C P T J K Pg N ↓
Holotype block
Scientific classification
Kingdom:	Animalia
Phylum:	Chordata
Class:	Mammalia
Order:	Eulipotyphla
Family:	Talpidae
Tribe:	Scalopini
Subtribe:	Scalopina
Genus:	†Vulcanoscaptor Linares-Martín, 2025
Species:	†V. ninoti
Binomial name
†Vulcanoscaptor ninoti Linares-Martín, 2025