Mobile UPI  |   About UPI  |   UPI en Español  |   UPI Arabic  |   UPIU  |   My Account
Search:
Go

New mammalian species discovered

|
|
 
  
Published: March. 15, 2007 at 8:30 AM
Advertisement

WASHINGTON, March 15 (UPI) -- A team of U.S. and Chinese paleontologists has discovered a new species of mammal that lived 125 million years ago in China.

The researchers say the discovery also provides first-hand evidence of early evolution of the mammalian middle ear -- one of the most important features for modern mammals.

"This early mammalian ear from China is a Rosetta stone type of discovery which reinforces the idea that development of complex body parts can be explained by evolution, using exquisitely preserved fossils," said H. Richard Lane of the U.S. National Science Foundation, which funded the research.

Named Yanoconodon allini after the Yan Mountains in China's Hebei province, the fossil is the first Mesozoic Era mammal recovered from Hebei. The fossil site is about 190 miles from Beijing.

The researchers say the skull of Yanoconodon revealed a middle ear structure that is an intermediate step between those of modern mammals and those of near relatives of mammals, also known as mammaliaforms.

The discovery is reported in the current issue of the journal Nature.

Topics: Rosetta Stone
© 2007 United Press International, Inc. All Rights Reserved. Any reproduction, republication, redistribution and/or modification of any UPI content is expressly prohibited without UPI's prior written consent.

Order reprints
  
Join the conversation
Most Popular Collections
Notable deaths of 2012 Scripps National Spelling Bee AmfAR Cinema Against AIDS gala
Indianapolis 500 Presidential Medal of Freedom Memorial Day around the nation
Additional Science News Stories
1 of 27
Snigdha Nandipati of San Diego wins Finals of the Scripps National Spelling Bee
View Caption
Snigdha Nandipati of San Diego, California watches confetti rain down as she wins the two-day Scripps National Spelling Bee championship, May 31, 2012, in National Harbor, Maryland. Nandipati successfully spelled the word .* guetapens *, meaning to lure or ambush. UPI/Mike Theiler
fark
Freed dissident Chen Guangcheng is hopeful for Chinese democracy, Slash and Axl reunion
Got two unrelated, unsolicited heartfelt "thank-you's" from two of my clients today. What are the...
After years of collegiate research, scientists conclude men looking for a one-night stand are more...
How to tell if that voice in your head is God. Is it telling you to kill people? Yep, that's God...
Podiatrist accused of begging a 15 year-old teenage babysitter to have sex with him for pay. However,...
40 of the most powerful photographs ever taken. Subby made it to #36 before it got way too dusty...