A recent discovery made by a team of paleontologists from Denver Museum of Nature & Science, Kent State University, the University of Michigan, and City University of New York has shed light on the early diversification of mammals following the extinction of dinosaurs. The team found the fossilized remains of a mammal species that lived about 65.5 million years ago in the Corral Bluffs area of the Denver Basin in Colorado.
This newly-discovered species belonged to the group Periptychidae, which eventually gave rise to modern hoofed mammals like deer, cows, and pigs. The ancient creature, named Militocodon lydae, was approximately the size of a chinchilla and weighed between 270 and 460 grams. It is believed to have had an omnivorous diet.
The fossil skull and jaws of Militocodon lydae were found in the D1 sequence of the Denver Formation, spanning from the uppermost Cretaceous to the lower Paleocene. This discovery provides valuable insight into how life rebounded after the mass extinction event that wiped out dinosaurs around 610,000 years ago.
The study was published in the Journal of Mammalian Evolution by Dr. Tyler Lyson, curator of vertebrate paleontology at Denver Museum of Nature & Science. According to Dr. Lyson, this discovery sheds light on how and when life rebounded after a devastating mass extinction event that wiped out dinosaurs. The well-preserved fossils found at Corral Bluffs have allowed scientists to paint a clearer picture of this critical period in Earth’s history.
Overall, this discovery is an exciting development for paleontologists who are constantly studying how life evolves over time and adapts to changing environments.
In conclusion, a team of paleontologists recently discovered new evidence that helps us understand more about early diversification