<i>Donrussellia</i> Ankle Bone (IMAGE)

Duke University

<i>Donrussellia</i> Ankle Bone

Caption

This tiny ankle bone belonged to one of the earliest members of the primate family tree. The 52-million-year-old fossil suggests that the first primates were expert leapers. Discovered more than 30 years ago by paleontologist Marc Godinot, the fossil is now housed at the Muséum National d'Histoire Naturelle in Paris.

Credit

Photo by Douglas Boyer, Duke University

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