Posted on 05/29/2018 12:53:58 PM PDT by ETL
The discovery of an unusual fossilized skull in eastern Utah is shedding new light on Earths history.
The 130 million-year-old skull belonged to a previously unknown reptile-like mammal.
Experts have described the new species, named Cifelliodon wahkarmoosuch, in honor of paleontologist Richard Cifelli, in the journal Nature.
Based on the unlikely discovery of this near-complete fossil cranium, we now recognize a new, cosmopolitan group of early mammal relatives, said Adam Huttenlocker, lead author of the study and assistant professor of clinical integrative anatomical sciences at the Keck School of Medicine of USC, in a statement. ..."
Cifelliodon belongs to an extinct branch of mammal ancestors, according to the study.
Deseret News reports that, although it suckled its young, the hair-covered Cifelliodon laid eggs. There are only two kinds of egg-laying mammals in existence today the platypus and the spiny anteater species.
(Excerpt) Read more at foxnews.com ...
Alvin Plantinga is a very smart Christian philosopher who believes that the theory of evolution supports theism rather than naturalism.
But, but, but.....
What about the Bird/Reptile connection!?!?!?!?
It would be hypothetical, and I agree that if there was anything to evolution, the mechanism of morphism would likely point to an intelligent design.
Thing is, nothing, and I mean there is NO EVIDENCE that species can somehow start as a reptile and over time become mammalian, for example.
There is a mountain of evidence that supports adaptation. None to support evolution.
Saying this, however, IF evolution were fact, then likely there would be something there to support an intelligent designer.
What took you so long?
The discovery of an unusual fossilized skull in eastern Utah
Yeah, he is running for Senate I believe.
she looks James Earl Jones playing Thulsa Doom in Conan when he turns into a snake.
I am well versed in paleontology. It's a reading hobby of mine. From the reason of a split mandible of the T.Rex to the multilayered(5) teeth of the Triceratops, to the asphyxiation death poses of many fossils...
The mammal/reptile-like classification is not based on any observable facts. It is pure speculation based on time and population theories. If it was truly a mammal, it would alter time theories by 10s of millions of years. Granted, what I would like to analyze is the soft tissue of haramiyids they uncovered in the 1990s.... but that doesn't seem to be listed under the debate.
You should see what they can do with a single tooth.
Just a big rat.
Then you will know that the arguments are just beginning. The discussions will go on for years and the conclusions will have several versions.
I especially like the rings on the tail.
Yes! She should have said that.
>> An incomplete cranium. Thats it? How do they know it was reptilian? <<
It’s not. It’s mammalian. Mammals and their branch of the amniote* tree have one hole on each side of their jaw, allowing jaw muscles to slip through the hole, creating the ability to move the jaw side to side, thus allowing mammals to chew food much better.
Not sure why they call it “reptile-like,” since they seem to suggest it was hairy and suckled its young.
*amniotes include mammals, birds and what you probably learned to call reptiles. Although now, the reptiles on the mammalian side, which are all extinct, are called “synapsids,” referring to this jaw structure.
And you have the same name as a Planet of the Apes character. The synergy is high.
It looks like a giant Rat with a Racoon tail.
I was not logged in and i was still closing html tags
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