Based on the structure of Arboroharamiya's lower jaw, palaeontologists believe that the animal had a mammalian-like ear.
Zhao Chuang/Jin Meng et al.
Posted on 08/08/2013 6:35:50 AM PDT by Renfield
Two fossils have got palaeontologists scratching their heads about where to place an enigmatic group of animals in the mammalian family tree. A team analysing one fossil suggests that the group belongs in mammals, but researchers looking at the other propose that its evolutionary clan actually predates true mammals. The situation begs for more analysis, more fossils, or both, experts say.
The fossils represent previously unknown species, described today in Nature1, 2. Both are members of the haramiyids, a group of animals that first appeared around 212 million years ago and that researchers first recognized in the late 1840s. Until now, the creatures have been known only from isolated examples of their distinctive teeth — which have some rodent-like features — and a single fragmentary jawbone. But both fossils described today include not only the distinctive teeth, but also vertebrae and bones from the limbs, feet and tails....
(Excerpt) Read more at nature.com ...
Based on the structure of Arboroharamiya's lower jaw, palaeontologists believe that the animal had a mammalian-like ear.
Zhao Chuang/Jin Meng et al.
Ping
The project needs more fossils.
Calling Joe Biden.
“...researchers first recognized in the late 1840s. Until now, the creatures have been known only from isolated examples of their distinctive teeth — which have some rodent-like features — and a single fragmentary jawbone.” They also have “...small hands and feet with exceptionally long digits...”
I believe that this creature has survived, or perhaps is reappearing because of recessive genes and interbreeding—in Arkansas—where the family tree don’t have branches.
(if you're not familiar with Zefrank, he's a hoot)
Calling Joe Biden.
Just don't call Clinton, he'd hit on it...
From the description, I'd place it in Louisiana.
“...researchers first recognized in the late 1840s. Until now, the creatures have been known only from isolated examples of their distinctive teeth — which have some rodent-like features — and a single fragmentary jawbone.” They also have “...small hands and feet with exceptionally long digits...”I believe that this creature has survived, or perhaps is reappearing because of recessive genes and interbreeding—in Arkansas—where the family tree don’t have branches.
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.
