reported the discovery of a wholly unique new species of rodent, Laonastes aenigmamus, for which they created a new family, Laonastidae. They suggested it was a hystricognath rodent, but basal to all other hystricognaths. Dawson, et al, re-evaluated the phylogenetic position of Laonastes based on morphology and included fossil taxa in their analysis.
Researchers made a groundbreaking discovery of an entirely new species of rodent, Laonastes aenigmamus, which prompted the creation of a new family, Laonastidae. They proposed it was a type of hystricognath rodent, but positioned at the base of all other hystricognaths in the evolutionary tree. Dawson, et al, re-examined the phylogenetic relationship of Laonastes using morphological characteristics and incorporated fossil species into their study.