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Fossils throw mammalian family tree into disarray
Nature ^ | 8-7-2013 | Sid Perkins

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 ...


TOPICS: History; Science
KEYWORDS: fossils; godsgravesglyphs; haramiyids; helixmakemineadouble; mammals; paleontology

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.

1 posted on 08/08/2013 6:35:50 AM PDT by Renfield
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To: SunkenCiv

Ping


2 posted on 08/08/2013 6:36:07 AM PDT by Renfield (Turning apples into venison since 1999!)
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To: Renfield

The project needs more fossils.

Calling Joe Biden.


3 posted on 08/08/2013 10:32:59 AM PDT by DPMD
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To: Renfield; StayAt HomeMother; Ernest_at_the_Beach; decimon; 1010RD; 21twelve; 24Karet; ...

Thanks Renfield.

4 posted on 08/10/2013 6:20:15 AM PDT by SunkenCiv (It's no coincidence that some "conservatives" echo the hard left.)
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To: SunkenCiv; Renfield

“...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.


5 posted on 08/10/2013 9:53:00 AM PDT by wildbill
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To: Renfield
True Facts About The Tarsier.

(if you're not familiar with Zefrank, he's a hoot)

6 posted on 08/10/2013 9:56:37 AM PDT by Joe 6-pack (Qui me amat, amat et canem meum.)
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To: Renfield

7 posted on 08/10/2013 10:01:38 AM PDT by JoeProBono (Mille vocibus imago valet;-{)
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To: DPMD
The project needs more fossils.

Calling Joe Biden.

Just don't call Clinton, he'd hit on it...

8 posted on 08/10/2013 11:08:23 AM PDT by null and void (Frequent terrorist attacks OR endless government snooping and oppression? Soon we'll have both!)
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To: wildbill

“...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.


From the description, I'd place it in Louisiana.


9 posted on 08/10/2013 11:16:26 AM PDT by Bratch
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