165-Million-Year-Old Fossil Reveals Mammal Ancestor With Swimming Tail

Times of India - India · india

A 165-million-year-old fossil discovered in China has revealed an ancient mammal ancestor, named Megacauda sungei, that possessed a broad tail for swimming and specialized throat bones similar to modern mammals. This Jurassic-period creature, measuring 40-50 cm and weighing 1-2 kg, likely spent time both on land and in water. The fossil provides some of the earliest evidence of a feeding mechanism involving chewing and efficient swallowing, a crucial evolutionary innovation that enabled mammals to diversify their diets and evolve into the vast array of species seen today.