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A fossil of a chipmunklike animal discovered in China is now helping reveal how this group of mammals reigned as long as the dinosaurs did, researchers say.
A group of mammals known as the multituberculates flourished across the planet from about 170 million to 35 million years ago, a span of 135 million years. This is about as long as dinosaurs were the dominant species on Earth.
Much like today's rodents, multituberculates occupied an extremely diverse range of habitats, such as below the ground, on the ground and in trees
By the end of their time, these creatures — the most abundant mammalian lineage in the fossil record — had evolved complex teeth that allowed them to enjoy vegetarian diets, as well as treetop-climbing abilities. Both of these adaptations helped the animals to become dominant among their contemporaries.
For instance, multituberculates that lived 100 million years or more after R. eurasiaticus and were capable of tree climbing and jumping "had the most interesting ankle bones, capable of 'hyper-back-rotation' of the hind feet." Luo said. "What is surprising about this discovery is that these ankle features were already present in Rugosodon — a land-dwelling mammal."
The scientists detailed their findings in the Aug. 16 issue of the journal Science.....snip~
Ancient Rodentlike Creature Once Dominated Earth
So we were hunting squirrels and dinos back then. :lol: The most abundant mammal. No surprise there. Mans got to eat. :mrgreen:
A group of mammals known as the multituberculates flourished across the planet from about 170 million to 35 million years ago, a span of 135 million years. This is about as long as dinosaurs were the dominant species on Earth.
Much like today's rodents, multituberculates occupied an extremely diverse range of habitats, such as below the ground, on the ground and in trees
By the end of their time, these creatures — the most abundant mammalian lineage in the fossil record — had evolved complex teeth that allowed them to enjoy vegetarian diets, as well as treetop-climbing abilities. Both of these adaptations helped the animals to become dominant among their contemporaries.
For instance, multituberculates that lived 100 million years or more after R. eurasiaticus and were capable of tree climbing and jumping "had the most interesting ankle bones, capable of 'hyper-back-rotation' of the hind feet." Luo said. "What is surprising about this discovery is that these ankle features were already present in Rugosodon — a land-dwelling mammal."
The scientists detailed their findings in the Aug. 16 issue of the journal Science.....snip~
Ancient Rodentlike Creature Once Dominated Earth
So we were hunting squirrels and dinos back then. :lol: The most abundant mammal. No surprise there. Mans got to eat. :mrgreen:
