Ancient Mammal Set the Stage for Modern Rodents (3 of 4) (IMAGE)

American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS)

Ancient Mammal Set the Stage for Modern Rodents (3 of 4)

Caption

Rugosodon is the earliest-known fossil skeleton of the multituberculate mammals, a major lineage of extinct mammals from the Jurassic to the Eocene. The skeletal features suggest that it is an agile, ground-living mammal, estimated to weigh about 80 grams. Its teeth are specialized for eating plant food, with a frugivore or granivore diet on seeds and leaves of ferns and gymnospern plants, supplemented by worms and arthropods. This image relates to a paper that appeared in the 16 August, 2013, issue of Science, published by AAAS. The paper, by Chong-Xi Yuan at the Chinese Academy of Geological Sciences in Beijing, China, and colleagues was titled, "Earliest Evolution of Multituberculate Mammals Revealed by a New Jurassic Fossil."

Credit

[Life Reconstruction (top) by April Isch of The University of Chicago, Reconstruction of Skeleton (bottom) by Mark Klingler of Carnegie Museum]

Usage Restrictions

Please cite the owner of the image when publishing. This image may be freely used by reporters as part of news coverage, with proper attribution. Non-reporters must contact <i>Science</i> for permission.

License

Licensed content

Disclaimer: AAAS and EurekAlert! are not responsible for the accuracy of news releases posted to EurekAlert! by contributing institutions or for the use of any information through the EurekAlert system.