Latest news with #MauricioAlvarez
Daily Tribune
3 days ago
- Science
- Daily Tribune
Scientists find 74-million-yearold mammal fossil in Chile
Scientists have discovered the fossil of a tiny mousesized mammal that lived in the time of the dinosaurs in Chilean Patagonia. 'Yeutherium pressor ' weighed between 30 and 40 grams (about one ounce) and lived in the Upper Cretaceous period, about 74 million years ago. It is the smallest mammal ever found in this region of South America, dating back to the era when it was part of a continental land mass known as Gondwana. The fossil consists of 'a small piece of jaw with a molar and the crown and roots of two other molars,' said Hans Puschel, who led the team of scientists from the University of Chile and Chile's Millennium Nucleus research center on early mammals. The discovery was published this month in the British scientific journal Proceedings of the Royal Society B. Researchers found the fossil in the Rio de las Las Chinas Valley in Chile's Magallanes region, about 3,000 kilometers (1 ,864 miles) south of Santiago. Despites its similarity to a small rodent, 'Yeutherium pressor' was a mammal that must have laid eggs, like the platypus, or carried its young in a pouch like kangaroos or opossums. The shape of its teeth suggests that it probably had a diet of relatively hard vegetables. Just like the dinosaurs with whom it co-existed, the tiny mammal abruptly went extinct at the end of the Cretaceous period, about 66 million years ago. This illustration, created by Mauricio Alvarez and obtained from Universidad de Chile depicts the 'Yeutherium pressor,' an animal that lived during the Late Cretaceous period, approximately 74 million years ago.
Toronto Sun
4 days ago
- Science
- Toronto Sun
Scientists find 74-million-year-old tiny mammal fossil in Chile
It is the smallest mammal ever found in this region of South America This illustration by Mauricio Alvarez depicts 'Yeutherium pressor,' a tiny mammal that lived in the time of the dinosaurs in what is now southern Chile. Photo by - / Universidad de Chile/AFP SANTIAGO — Scientists have discovered the fossil of a tiny mouse-sized mammal that lived in the time of the dinosaurs in Chilean Patagonia. This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. THIS CONTENT IS RESERVED FOR SUBSCRIBERS ONLY Subscribe now to read the latest news in your city and across Canada. Unlimited online access to articles from across Canada with one account. Get exclusive access to the Toronto Sun ePaper, an electronic replica of the print edition that you can share, download and comment on. Enjoy insights and behind-the-scenes analysis from our award-winning journalists. Support local journalists and the next generation of journalists. Daily puzzles including the New York Times Crossword. SUBSCRIBE TO UNLOCK MORE ARTICLES Subscribe now to read the latest news in your city and across Canada. Unlimited online access to articles from across Canada with one account. Get exclusive access to the Toronto Sun ePaper, an electronic replica of the print edition that you can share, download and comment on. Enjoy insights and behind-the-scenes analysis from our award-winning journalists. Support local journalists and the next generation of journalists. Daily puzzles including the New York Times Crossword. REGISTER / SIGN IN TO UNLOCK MORE ARTICLES Create an account or sign in to continue with your reading experience. Access articles from across Canada with one account. Share your thoughts and join the conversation in the comments. Enjoy additional articles per month. Get email updates from your favourite authors. THIS ARTICLE IS FREE TO READ REGISTER TO UNLOCK. Create an account or sign in to continue with your reading experience. Access articles from across Canada with one account Share your thoughts and join the conversation in the comments Enjoy additional articles per month Get email updates from your favourite authors Don't have an account? Create Account 'Yeutherium pressor' weighed between 30 and 40 grams (about one ounce) and lived in the Upper Cretaceous period, about 74 million years ago. It is the smallest mammal ever found in this region of South America, dating back to the era when it was part of a continental land mass known as Gondwana. The fossil consists of 'a small piece of jaw with a molar and the crown and roots of two other molars,' said Hans Puschel, who led the team of scientists from the University of Chile and Chile's Millennium Nucleus research center on early mammals. The discovery was published this month in the British scientific journal Proceedings of the Royal Society B. Researchers found the fossil in the Rio de las Las Chinas Valley in Chile's Magallanes region, about 3,000 kilometers (1,864 miles) south of Santiago. Despites its similarity to a small rodent, 'Yeutherium pressor' was a mammal that must have laid eggs, like the platypus, or carried its young in a pouch like kangaroos or opossums. The shape of its teeth suggests that it probably had a diet of relatively hard vegetables. Just like the dinosaurs with whom it co-existed, the tiny mammal abruptly went extinct at the end of the Cretaceous period, about 66 million years ago. Columnists Weird Opinion World Columnists
