Post by jonsdigs on Dec 13, 2006 21:02:34 GMT -5
Kiwi mouse that waddled
13 December 2006
The Dominion Post (NZ)
The discovery of fossils from a waddling, mouse-sized mammal in a New Zealand lake bed has stunned scientists, and could force a "rethink" on the evolution of this country's animals.
The bones from the primitive mammal, described as unlike any mammal alive today, were discovered in sediment at least 16 million years old. They suggest the mammal was mouse-sized and walked by waddling.
Kiwi palaeontologist Trevor Worthy, originally from Masterton and now based at Adelaide University in Australia, said the fossils were found in the bed of Central Otago's Lake Manuherikia.
The find in the lake, where crocodiles swam 17 million years ago, not only fills a gap in the nation's fossil record, but may also help scientists worldwide understand more about the origin of mammals.
Mr Worthy was a world expert on moa when he was effectively forced out of New Zealand last year when the Foundation for Research Science and Technology rejected his application for a $200,000 grant over four years. Largely self-taught after becoming interested in fossils as a caver, he helped unearth a treasure-trove of "mega-fauna" fossils in Otago in 2002, including ancient crocodiles.
His co-author, Alan Tennyson, a Te Papa palaeontologist, said the fossil discovery was incredible.
"This will cause a rethink on the whole evolution of animals in New Zealand, which has been regarded as the land of birds. There is no doubt these are among the most important fossils ever found in New Zealand. It ranks with finding dinosaurs."
The two jawbones and one thigh bone of the primitive "mouse" are the first hard evidence New Zealand once had indigenous land mammals. Their global significance is they are unlike any other fossil mammal found anywhere else.
Article
13 December 2006
The Dominion Post (NZ)
The discovery of fossils from a waddling, mouse-sized mammal in a New Zealand lake bed has stunned scientists, and could force a "rethink" on the evolution of this country's animals.
The bones from the primitive mammal, described as unlike any mammal alive today, were discovered in sediment at least 16 million years old. They suggest the mammal was mouse-sized and walked by waddling.
Kiwi palaeontologist Trevor Worthy, originally from Masterton and now based at Adelaide University in Australia, said the fossils were found in the bed of Central Otago's Lake Manuherikia.
The find in the lake, where crocodiles swam 17 million years ago, not only fills a gap in the nation's fossil record, but may also help scientists worldwide understand more about the origin of mammals.
Mr Worthy was a world expert on moa when he was effectively forced out of New Zealand last year when the Foundation for Research Science and Technology rejected his application for a $200,000 grant over four years. Largely self-taught after becoming interested in fossils as a caver, he helped unearth a treasure-trove of "mega-fauna" fossils in Otago in 2002, including ancient crocodiles.
His co-author, Alan Tennyson, a Te Papa palaeontologist, said the fossil discovery was incredible.
"This will cause a rethink on the whole evolution of animals in New Zealand, which has been regarded as the land of birds. There is no doubt these are among the most important fossils ever found in New Zealand. It ranks with finding dinosaurs."
The two jawbones and one thigh bone of the primitive "mouse" are the first hard evidence New Zealand once had indigenous land mammals. Their global significance is they are unlike any other fossil mammal found anywhere else.
Article