Jaws and teeth of a shrew discovered in a deposit in Gran Dolina de Atapuerca, in Burgos, have shown this to be a new species (Dolinasorex glyphodon). (Credit: J. Trueba)
Posted on 05/28/2009 1:09:46 PM PDT by SunkenCiv
Researchers from the University of Zaragoza (UNIZAR) have discovered fossils in the TD4, TD5 and TD6 levels of the Gran Dolina deposit in Burgos that date to between 780,000 and 900,000 years ago, and have shown that these belong to a new genus and species of shrew (Dolinasorex glyphodon), from the Soricidae family (small insect-eating mammals)... The morphometric and phylogenetic studies of the new species reveal a close link with the species of eastern Asia... In addition, analyses of jawbones and individual teeth of Dolinasorex glyphodon, collected between 1991 and 2007 in Atapuerca, have enabled the scientists to develop paleoecological and biogeographical hypotheses, suggesting that the animal lived in an epoch characterised by a warm, wet and relatively stable climate... Dolinasorex glyphodon was a shrew with red teeth that belonged to the Soricinae sub-family. By using allometric calculations (relating to changes in the size of body parts in comparison with changes in the overall size of the animal), the researchers have described it as "giant". Compared with a modern, large-sized member of the Soricidae family, such as the water shrew (Neomys fodiens), which weighs in at around 14 grams, the body mass of the extinct shrew reached 60 grams. The study of the fossil remains of this mammal has also made it possible to discover that the shrew injected toxic saliva, in the same way that snakes do, via a "narrow and conspicuous channel" located on the inside surface of its lower incisors. "This was a mechanism very similar to that of the modern solenodons and almiquis, which are close relatives of the shrews and live on the islands of Cuba and Haiti," explains Rofes.
(Excerpt) Read more at sciencedaily.com ...
Jaws and teeth of a shrew discovered in a deposit in Gran Dolina de Atapuerca, in Burgos, have shown this to be a new species (Dolinasorex glyphodon). (Credit: J. Trueba)
‘Bizarre’ New Mammal Discovered
BBC | 2-1-2008 | Rebecca Morelle
Posted on 02/01/2008 1:54:59 PM PST by blam
http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/news/1963456/posts
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Apparently “giant” shrews are of the same genus as “jumbo” shrimp.
Giant shrew?
I have a friend who was married to one of those once.
Giant shrew? My mother in law hasn’t been gone a million years.
Another missing link, maybe ???
"Do I look tame to you?"
And here she is!
That has to be the missing link between monkeys and humans!!!! /sarcasm
Ghastly. Just ghastly.
"MOMMA!!!"
The missing link between shews and “shrews”.
If the shrew fits, wear it.
They couldn't find any giant shrews, so they just put dogs in costumes.
I bet post #8 !!
"We've found a rilly big shrew..."
I found a "Linc." Is that close enough?
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