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 announced the discovery of an entirely new species of rodent, Laonastes aenigmamus, which led to the creation of a new family, Laonastidae. They suggested it was a type of hystricognath rodent, but positioned at the base of all other hystricognaths. Dawson, et al, re-evaluated the evolutionary relationship of Laonastes using morphology and incorporated fossil species into their study.