Chester, S.G.B. et al.
It sounds like a rodent, but after all it has links to who we are today. A new analysis of the skeleton of Mixer Unveys paleontological mysteries with 140 years.
O Mixer Punguns was a small tree mammal that lived about 62 million years ago. It was first mentioned in 1883 by the famous paleontologist Edward Drinker Cope.
But for over 140 years, this species remained a mystery for paleontologists. Now, all this has changed, with a new published in Nature in March that shows The most complete skeleton of the species ever discovered.
“This fossil skeleton provides new evidence on how placental mammals diversified ecologically after dinosaur extinction,” says Stephen Chester, the main author, to
The new skeleton was discovered in the San Juan basin in New Mexico, and includes a wide variety of bones, from a partial skull, ribs, spine and anterior and posterior limbs. The structure of its members and claws suggests that it was skilled at clinging to trunks and branches of tree.
“Characteristics such as greater body mass and greater dependence on leaves have allowed o Mixodectes prospering in the same trees probably shared with other primitive relatives of primates ”he explains.
Our “cousin” lived lived in North America during the beginning of PaleocenoShortly after the extinction of dinosaurs, and was mainly fed on leaves.
Anthropologist Eric Sargis also participated in the study, and adds that “a 62 million -year -old skeleton, with this quality and completeness, offers new perspectives on myxodectils, including a much clearer image of their evolutionary relationships. Our findings show that that They are close relatives of primates and colgos – LEMINES NATIVE FLYERS OF SOUTHEAST ASIANA – which makes them relatives quite close to humans“.
