Fossil Overturns Ideas of Jurassic Mammals

AP ^ | February 23, 2006 2:43 PM EST | RANDOLPH E. SCHMID

[VadeRetro]

This image provided by the journal Science shows a Castorcauda lustrasimilis, a docodont mammaliaform from the Middle Jurrassic .Characterized by an evolutionary convergence of its "beaver-like" tail, and some dental feautres for feeding small fish and invertebrates convergent to that of an otter. MARK A. KLINGER

WASHINGTON - The discovery of a furry, beaver-like animal that lived at the time of dinosaurs has overturned more than a century of scientific thinking about Jurassic mammals.

The find shows that the ecological role of mammals in the time of dinosaurs was far greater than previously thought, said Zhe-Xi Luo, curator of vertebrate paleontology at Carnegie Museum of Natural History in Pittsburgh.

The animal is the earliest swimming mammal to have been found and was the most primitive mammal to be preserved with fur, which is important to helping keep a constant body temperature, Luo said in a telephone interview.

[VadeRetro]

As somebody used to say, "Everybody be nice!"

[dirtboy]

The discovery of a furry, beaver-like animal that lived at the time of dinosaurs

Too bad the headline wasn't "Beaver millions of years older than previously believed".

[VadeRetro]

"Has-been" ping!

[r9etb]

"Used to?" PH is still around, isn't he?

[VadeRetro]

I know some people who will try to make it exactly that.

[Pondman88]

Wet furry Beavers.....hmmmmm.

[null and void]

As somebody used to say, "Everybody be nice!"

That will be challenging on this thread...

[Red Badger]

Here's a fossilized mammal.........

[VadeRetro]

You know, I think you're right. He just doesn't get as involved as he used to.

[Poser]

I thought the earth was only 4000 years old? Go figure.

[PatrickHenry]

Evolution Ping The List-O-Links

A conservative, pro-evolution science list, now with over 350 names. See the list's explanation, then FReepmail to be added or dropped. To assist beginners: But it's "just a theory", Evo-Troll's Toolkit, and How to argue against a scientific theory.

[VadeRetro]

Nice beaver!

[GSlob]

Aquatic mammals normally have very durable furs: hats and coats could easily last 20+ years, but this "Castorcauda lustrasimilis, a docodont mammaliaform" beat all the records. Why, it was "preserved with fur" for how long? Since Jurassic?

[null and void]

Thanks. I just had it stuffed...

[VadeRetro]

As I read the article, the fur wasn't preserved in the sense of still having the fur. Traces were visible sufficient to identify guard hairs and normal body fur.

[editor-surveyor]

Just a matter of time until all will have to recognize that the house of cards is burning as it falls.

[Redcloak]

Beaverzilla?

[Dimensio]

How does your comment relate to the article?

[VadeRetro]

You don't think maybe this is another one of those transitionals of which there aren't any?

[PatrickHenry]

He just doesn't get as involved as he used to.

The Grand Master has been keeping me busy lately.