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Chinese scientists have found fossils of a type of mice, which are considered to reveal the evolutionary history of mammals, including humans. The fossils came from a creature believed to live about 160 million years.
The fossils of creatures called Juramaia sinensis is the oldest fossil ever found a group of animals called Eutheria, or placental mammals. Groups of placental mammals is characterized by birth, among them, such as cows, mice, lions, tigers, dogs, whales and primates.
Furry mammal fossils found in Liaoning Province, are estimated to live in northeast China during the Jurassic. This is a time when dinosaurs still ruled the earth.
Dr. Zhe-Xi Luo, paleontologists at Carnegie Museum of Natural History in Pittsburgh, USA, said: "Juramaia, 160 million years ago is an ancestor or" aunt ancestor of all placental mammals today evolved "he said.
Zhe-Xi Luo explained later, the results of the analysis of the fossil skeleton showed that these animals are agile creatures strong climbing capability.
Image of the fossil, the researchers say is a new milestone in the evolution of mammals 35 million years.
Juramaia sinensis name means' father Jurassic of China. "This fossil skull itself is an incomplete skeleton, partial and other soft tissue such as hair. Juramaia also has a tooth. Paleonantropologi fossil Experts estimate is closer to marsupials marsupial kangaroos, like.
"Understanding the placenta starting point is an important issue in the study of all mammalian evolution," said Zhe-Xi Luo.
When evolutionary change - as the ancestral species is divided into two lineages descended - is one of the most important information that can be owned by a development researcher.
Before the discovery Juramaia, a point of difference is the type of Eutheria metatherians caused difficulties for the historian of evolution. Eutheria suggest DNA testing, you must arrive early in the fossil record - about 160 million years. However, the oldest is Eutheria Eomaia, which lived 125 million years.
Juramaia also show adaptive characteristics that could have helped the newcomers to survive in the Eutheria Jurassic. Juramaia the front leg to raise and be able to adapt to the lifestyle of the Jurassic.
"Differences of marsupial mammals Eutheria ultimately led to the birth of the placenta and reproduction that is essential for the successful evolution of the placentals." Said the doctor. Luo. "But that was their initial adaptation to exploit a place in the tree to open their roads to success of this development."
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