Fossil reveals new species of mammal

[Still Waters]

Researchers from the Institute of Vertebrate Paleontology and Paleoanthropology (IVPP) of the Chinese Academy of Sciences and the American Museum of Natural History (AMNH) have reported a new species of multituberculate—a type of extinct Mesozoic rodent—with well-preserved middle ear bones from the Cretaceous Jehol Biota of China. The findings were published in Nature on November 27.

The new mammal, Jeholbaatar kielanae, has a middle ear that is distinct from those of its relatives. Wang Yuanqing and Wang Haibing from IVPP, along with Meng Jin from AMNH, proposed that the evolution of its auditory apparatus might have been driven by specialization for feeding.

https://phys.org/news/2019-11-cretaceous-mammal-fossil-evolution-middle.html

[Hankenhunter]

Hmmm, I wonder how many times rats have inherited the earth? Will they be the dominant species when we're gone, or will they have to duke it out with the cockroaches? Seems like  rats really havn't  changed much, have they?. Nor the cockroaches. Two of natures most successful species. So, which species do you think will inherit the earth?

[SHaYap]

They'll live side by side, symbiotically

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[Hankenhunter]

Just now, third_eye said:

They'll live side by side, symbiotically

~

You dont think that with the rats greater intelligence, that they wouldn't evolve to start farming roaches? 

 

[SHaYap]

32 minutes ago, Hankenhunter said:

You dont think that with the rats greater intelligence, that they wouldn't evolve to start farming roaches? 

 

Nahh, rats pretty much don't care one way or the other, they're highly adaptable... If it works, fine, if not they'll just move on. 

There's an old Chinese saying, "snakes and rats in the same nest/den"

Where you find rats, you'll find snakes... We know it doesn't apply everywhere, but it happens a lot in the paddy fields, where king cobras and rats shares the same den/nest, the rats keeps the tunnel clean from other pests, other snakes hunts the rats, the king cobra only feeds on other snakes... Win win... 

~

 

[Hankenhunter]

7 minutes ago, third_eye said:

Nahh, rats pretty much don't care one way or the other, they're highly adaptable... If it works, fine, if not they'll just move on. 

There's an old Chinese saying, "snakes and rats in the same nest/den"

Where you find rats, you'll find snakes... We know it doesn't apply everywhere, but it happens a lot in the paddy fields, where king cobras and rats shares the same den/nest, the rats keeps the tunnel clean from other pests, other snakes hunts the rats, the king cobra only feeds on other snakes... Win win... 

~

 

Lol, you just introduced another of Nature's dominant ultra evolved animals into the mix. Let me get this straight. The cobras are the overlords, the rats are chamber maids, with other snakes trying to have their way with the maids when the cobra steps out for a bite to eat? Still haven't figured out where the cockroaches fit in. 

[SHaYap]

12 minutes ago, Hankenhunter said:

Lol, you just introduced another of Nature's dominant ultra evolved animals into the mix. Let me get this straight. The cobras are the overlords, the rats are chamber maids, with other snakes trying to have their way with the maids when the cobra steps out for a bite to eat?

I don't believe there is a social structure to the relationship, at best they share an entrance, the rats den deeper than the cobras and keeps the tunnel clear and clean, the cobras just waits for the other snakes to come for the rats, king cobras only feeds on other snakes, so it works out well... 

~

Quote

Still haven't figured out where the cockroaches fit in. 

Roaches do have a role to play out in nature, it's only in homes and human dwelling that they're pests... 

If nothing else, like you said, rats eats roaches, and roaches multiply fast, so roach farming rats ain't too far fetched 

~

Edited November 29, 2019 by third_eye
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['Walt' E. Kurtz]

Just like hitchhikers guide to the galaxy.... mice !