The origin of the dog-like borhyaenoid marsupials of South America

Article Abstract:

The basicranial anatomy of skulls and skeletons referrable to the didelphoid Andinodelphys indicates that the dog-like marsupials that were the largest predacious mammals in South America during the Tertiary period were more closely connected with an early didelphimorphian radiation in South America than with Asiatic, Australian or North American lineages. Borhyaenoids seem to have originated from a plesiomorphic didelphimorphian stem group with features including a pro-otic canal, no alisphenoid hypotympanic sinus and a large foramen ovale.

User Contributions:

Comment about this article or add new information about this topic:

Comment:  (50-4000 characters)

Name:

E-mail:

Security Code:

Whales originated from aquatic artiodactyls in the Eocene epoch of India

Article Abstract:

A research demonstrating that the Eocene south Asian raoellid artiodactyls are sister group to whales is presented. Many anatomical similarities are found in the two groups and a significant dietary change happened during the transition from artiodactyls to whales shows that aquatic life happened before the origin of the order Cetacea.

User Contributions:

Comment about this article or add new information about this topic:

Comment:  (50-4000 characters)

Name:

E-mail:

Security Code:

Walking with whales

Article Abstract:

Issues are presented concerning the discovery of partial fossil cetaceans over 50-million-years-old which reveal that the ancestors of whales lived on land and could run efficiently. The anatomical evidence is discussed.

User Contributions:

Comment about this article or add new information about this topic:

Comment:  (50-4000 characters)

Name:

E-mail:

Security Code: