Vulcanoscaptor
| Vulcanoscaptor Temporal range:
| |
|---|---|
| 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
| |
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 limb bones, 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.