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In the conventional view, the earliest mammals were small, primitive shrewlike creatures that did not begin to explore the world's varied environments until the dinosaurs died out 65 million years ago.

But scientists are reporting today that they have uncovered fossils of a swimming, fish-eating mammal that lived in China fully 164 million years ago, well before it was thought that some mammals could have spent much of their lives in water.

http://seattlepi.nwsource.com/national/260728_mammal24.html

That's so cool.
Man, it never ends...

Originally posted by Sir Whirlysplat
In the conventional view, the earliest mammals were small, primitive shrewlike creatures that did not begin to explore the world's varied environments until the dinosaurs died out 65 million years ago.

But scientists are reporting today that they have uncovered fossils of a swimming, fish-eating mammal that lived in China fully 164 million years ago, well before it was thought that some mammals could have spent much of their lives in water.

http://seattlepi.nwsource.com/national/260728_mammal24.html
Zomg! An OTTERSAURUS!

Originally posted by Sir Whirlysplat
In the conventional view, the earliest mammals were small, primitive shrewlike creatures that did not begin to explore the world's varied environments until the dinosaurs died out 65 million years ago.

But scientists are reporting today that they have uncovered fossils of a swimming, fish-eating mammal that lived in China fully 164 million years ago, well before it was thought that some mammals could have spent much of their lives in water.

http://seattlepi.nwsource.com/national/260728_mammal24.html



This is also one of the major areas for finding fossilized birds and bird/dino species. The Mongolian region is perhaps the single greatest area on Earth to find fossils.

The fact that this "mammal" was found reveals a lot. However, given it's characterists, I wish the article had gone into more detail concerning how they came to the conclusion that it was a mammal. Considering the platypus lays eggs and is qualified as a mammal, this creature could prove helpful in a lot of different ways. It's existence could add even more legitimacy to several theories. ie continental drift, evolution, etc.

why is this news? mammals existed in the permain period. isn't this just a new species found from that time period?

Originally posted by Capt_Fantastic
This is also one of the major areas for finding fossilized birds and bird/dino species. The Mongolian region is perhaps the single greatest area on Earth to find fossils.

The fact that this "mammal" was found reveals a lot. However, given it's characterists, I wish the article had gone into more detail concerning how they came to the conclusion that it was a mammal. Considering the platypus lays eggs and is qualified as a mammal, this creature could prove helpful in a lot of different ways. It's existence could add even more legitimacy to several theories. ie continental drift, evolution, etc.

Didn't they just find an ancestor of the T-Rex in that area not too long ago?