Carinalestes murensis was named by Cifelli and Davis (2015). Its type specimen is OMNH 67503, a mandible (a left dentary fragment preserving the ultimate molar as well as alveoli and bases of the roots for the penultimate molar.), and it is a 3D body fossil. Its type locality is OMNH V938, which is in an Albian terrestrial horizon in Montana. It is the type species of Carinalestes.