Tag Archives: Mammals
New study traces the origins of marsupials in N. America, find mammals during age of dinosaurs packed a powerful bite
A new study by paleontologists describes an early marsupial relative called Didelphodon vorax that lived alongside ferocious dinosaurs and had, pound-for-pound, the strongest bite force of any mammal ever recorded. Paleontology News — ScienceDaily
Changing views of evolutionary factors at work on earliest mammals
Using 3D-printed replicas of 200-million-year-old mammal teeth and polymers that mimic insect prey, scientists provide the first laboratory-tested evidence that the ability for teeth to damage prey is a more significant factor driving evolutionary changes in tooth shape than either … Continue reading
Herbivorous mammals have bigger bellies
Herbivorous mammals have bigger bellies than their usually slim carnivorous counterparts, an international study based on 3D reconstructions of animal skeletons reveals for the first time. In dinosaurs, however, there is no notable difference between carnivores and herbivores. Strange & … Continue reading
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Herbivorous mammals have bigger bellies
Herbivorous mammals have bigger bellies than their usually slim carnivorous counterparts, an international study based on 3D reconstructions of animal skeletons reveals for the first time. In dinosaurs, however, there is no notable difference between carnivores and herbivores. Paleontology News … Continue reading
For 20 million years, the diversity of large terrestrial mammals depended on plant growth
For more than 20 million years, the ups and downs of diversity in terrestrial large mammals were determined by primary production, i.e. net production of plant biomass. This pattern changed with the onset of the ice ages. The reason for … Continue reading
New book details South America?s surprising prehistoric mammals
South America was home to a host of unique animals during the 60-some million years the continent was isolated, during most of the Cenozic Period. Details and constructions of mammals ranging from mouse-sized marsupials to elephant-size sloths, with photos of … Continue reading
New index reveals likelihood of terrestrial or aquatic lifestyles of extinct mammals
Researchers have developed a new index based on rib and body weight measurements that predicts whether a mammal lived on land, in water, or both. When applied to extinct mammalian species, the index showed that some could not have supported … Continue reading
Mammals diversified only after dinosaur extinction left space
QUT evolutionary biologist Dr Matthew Phillips used molecular dating from DNA sequences to challenge the dominant scientific theory that placental mammals diversified 20 million years before dinosaurs became extinct. read more (e) Science News – Paleontology & Archaeology
Mammals diversified only after dinosaur extinction left space
Humans’ early mammal relatives likely diversified 66 million years ago, after the extinction of dinosaurs opened up space for animals such as big cats, horses, elephants and eventually apes to evolve. Paleontology News — ScienceDaily
Mammals almost wiped out with the dinosaurs
Prehistoric asteroid wiped out nearly all mammals as well as dinosaurs, research suggests. ‘ Over 90 per cent of mammal species were wiped out by the same asteroid that killed the dinosaurs in the Cretaceous period 66 million years ago, … Continue reading