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 ...
Sometimes you have to work at it. Other times, the opportunities just present themselves. :-)
Any giant hedgehogs??? .......”DINSDALE!!!”
At least it made me laugh.
The other photos made me scream.
The watch will be ready at midnight. The watch. The Chi-neese watch. Buh-bye. Mother.
I should know better than to look again through any topic where those are even a *possibility*. ;’)
:) yeah, I know.
Yes, you should. :-)
HA!!!
Yes when speaking of the zerO or Democrats in general the jokes really write themselves. Gotta admit I grow awfully tired of the laughs. ;^)
I see you maintain the Helen Thomas ping list, eh?
While I commend your tenacity having to look at that thing, don't ever add my name.
That mug of hers, seamerc.
*It* haunts me like a festering boil now, as it is. LOL
They found my ex-wife’s genetic ancestor?
That can’t be. She’s right here in the US...she’s our Secretary of State.
I was waiting for this pic to show hahahahahah
60 grams is about 2 ounces. Obviously not something you’d want to encounter on a dark alley. Mammalia’s answer to the tyrannosaurids.
Good one! Maureen Dowd anyone? Katrina vanden Heuvel?
Oh!!! I started LOL so hard when I saw that just now, my secretary opened the door to see if I was OK. (Still LOL!)
That looks like a Danelectro Longhorn Bass body attached to a guitar neck.
Glad to perk up your day! Thanks for the feedback.
P.S. I share the way you feel about L.A. I grew up in the OC and went to university in L.A.
OMG...that pic is almost “life sized”...I almost hit the “abuse” button to get the mods to send you to FReeper jail for 30-days for posting something that hideous!
/chuckle/
I didn’t know that Hillary was there at this time.
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