Cynodontia is a group of therapsids, which are early relatives of mammals. They lived during the late Permian to the late Triassic periods, around 260 to 200 million years ago. Cynodonts are characterized by their advanced jaw structure and differentiated teeth, which suggest they had a more complex diet compared to earlier reptiles. These creatures are significant in the study of evolution because they exhibit traits that are precursors to modern mammals. Some cynodonts developed features such as fur and warm-bloodedness, which are important characteristics of mammals. Their evolutionary adaptations paved the way for the rise of true mammals in the Jurassic period.