Latest news with #mammals
Times
15-05-2025
- Science
- Times
Eight out of ten ginger cats are male. Now we finally know why
Marmalade-coloured cats are not the only orange-furred mammals in the animal kingdom, but scientists have discovered something that sets the tabbies apart from tigers, orangutans and even redheaded humans. Only in domestic cats is the colour orange strongly linked to one sex, with males making up at least 80 per cent of ginger felines. Researchers have now not only uncovered the gene responsible, but also the process that causes it to be linked so strongly to males. • Cats become Britain's favourite pet as Gen Z copy Taylor Swift A gene known as Arhgap36 is shared by many mammalian species, including humans, but it normally has no link to pigmentation. Instead, it helps to govern the relationship between the nervous and hormonal systems. Cancers have
South China Morning Post
11-05-2025
- Science
- South China Morning Post
China's dinosaur discovery reveals ancient food chain secrets
A fossil discovery in China shows a complex prehistoric food chain from 125 million years ago. The fossilised remains of Huadanosaurus sinensis – a newly identified compsognathid-like theropod dinosaur – were found in Liaoning province. Scientists discovered two small mammals inside the dinosaur's stomach. One was an eutherian, a distant relative of modern mammals. The second was a gobiconodontid, a group that includes the Repenomamus – a mammal about the size of a badger. The eutherian in its stomach was swallowed whole, suggesting Huadanosaurus likely killed its prey with a powerful bite. This has changed what scientists know about the animals. Earlier fossils showed Repenomamus ate vertebrates. This previous fossil finding and the new study suggest that dinosaurs and mammals in the region may have formed a food web in which they were both predator and prey to each other. Answer: Scientists found the remains of two small mammals, suggesting there was a complicated food web
South China Morning Post
11-05-2025
- Science
- South China Morning Post
Dinosaur discovery in China reveals prehistoric food chain secrets
A fossil discovery in China shows a complex prehistoric food chain from 125 million years ago. The fossilised remains of Huadanosaurus sinensis – a newly identified compsognathid-like theropod dinosaur – were found in Liaoning province. Scientists discovered two small mammals inside the dinosaur's stomach. One was an eutherian, a distant relative of modern mammals. The second was a gobiconodontid, a group that includes the Repenomamus – a mammal about the size of a badger. The eutherian in its stomach was swallowed whole, suggesting Huadanosaurus likely killed its prey with a powerful bite. Earlier fossils showed Repenomamus ate vertebrates. Previous findings and the new study suggest that creatures in the region may have formed a food web in which they were both predator and prey to each other.
