Examination of fossil fragments from Panama has led Smithsonian scientists and colleagues to the discovery of a new genus and species of river dolphin that has been long extinct. The team named it Isthminia panamensis. The specimen not only revealed a new species to science, but also shed new light onto the evolution of today's freshwater river dolphin species.
The fossil, which dates from 5.8-6.1 million years ago, was found on the Caribbean coast near the town of Piña, Panama. It consists of half a skull, lower jaw with an almost entire set of conical teeth, right shoulder blade and two small bones from the dolphin's flipper. In comparison with other river dolphins--both fossil and living--the shape and size of these parts suggests that the full specimen may have been more than 9 feet in length.READ MORE-http://www.science20.com/news_articles/isthminia_panamensis_new_species_of_ancient_river_dolphin_discovered-157036
Saturday, 5 September 2015
Isthminia Panamensis: New Species Of Ancient River Dolphin Discovered
Examination of fossil fragments from Panama has led Smithsonian scientists and colleagues to the discovery of a new genus and species of river dolphin that has been long extinct. The team named it Isthminia panamensis. The specimen not only revealed a new species to science, but also shed new light onto the evolution of today's freshwater river dolphin species.
The fossil, which dates from 5.8-6.1 million years ago, was found on the Caribbean coast near the town of Piña, Panama. It consists of half a skull, lower jaw with an almost entire set of conical teeth, right shoulder blade and two small bones from the dolphin's flipper. In comparison with other river dolphins--both fossil and living--the shape and size of these parts suggests that the full specimen may have been more than 9 feet in length.READ MORE-http://www.science20.com/news_articles/isthminia_panamensis_new_species_of_ancient_river_dolphin_discovered-157036
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
No comments:
Post a Comment