A fossilised jaw discovered last year
in the Yuanqu river basin, in the
southern part of China's Shanxi
province is probably an early ancestor of the modern monkey, ape and
even humans. Scientists at the
Carnegie Museum of Natural
History in Pittsburgh, US, and
the Institute of Vertebrate
Palaeontology and Palaeoanthropology in Beijing, China, have
said that the creature belongs
to a previously unknown species.
They have named it Eosimias
centennicus.
After a study of the animal's jaw,
the scientists have reached the conclusion 1hat it must have been
mouse-sized, weighing 3.5 ounces
(0.1 kg). The deep chin and dagger-like canine teeth are similar to those
of monkeys and the blunt molars
suggest that the animal survived on
fruits and insects.
The fossil - according to
experts -dates back to about 40
million years, which makes it five
million years older than the widely
studied primitive primate fossils
found in Egypt.
We are a voice to you; you have been a support to us. Together we build journalism that is independent, credible and fearless. You can further help us by making a donation. This will mean a lot for our ability to bring you news, perspectives and analysis from the ground so that we can make change together.
.png)
Comments are moderated and will be published only after the site moderator’s approval. Please use a genuine email ID and provide your name. Selected comments may also be used in the ‘Letters’ section of the Down To Earth print edition.