Polydolops clavulus was named by Ameghino (1902). Its type specimen is MACN 10356, a mandible (greater part of a left mandibular ramus with alveolus of a large procumbent tooth), and it is a 3D body fossil. Its type locality is Casamayoran of Patagonia, which is in a Casamayoran terrestrial horizon in Argentina.

It was recombined as Archaeodolops clavulus by Ameghino (1904).