The Discovery
An international research team, including scientists from Ohio University, analyzed a newly identified early mammal relative named Megacauda sungei. This creature lived during the Middle Jurassic Period in what is currently Inner Mongolia, China. Dated to 165 million years ago, it was roughly the size of a modern otter, making it among the larger known mammal relatives from the Jurassic. Using high-resolution X-ray scans, researchers constructed three-dimensional models of its skull and skeleton to examine delicate structures hidden beneath the surface.
What Scientists Found
The 3D reconstructions revealed anatomical features tied to throat and mouth structures used in suckling and swallowing. Researchers identified a pair of bony projections on the roof of the mouth similar to those found in living placental mammals and marsupials, such as humans and kangaroos. In modern species, these projections help support the soft palate and muscles that protect the airway during feeding. Specialized hyoid bones were also preserved in the throat, anchoring muscles that direct food or milk toward the food pipe.
In addition to these feeding features, Megacauda sungei possessed a unique combination of physical traits:
- Blade-like cheek teeth.
- A pelvis resembling that of a platypus.
- An otter-like tail, suggesting a predator adapted to freshwater environments.
Why It Matters
These findings suggest that elements of the coordinated suckling system evolved long before today's mammal groups appeared. The coexistence of modern-looking projections alongside primitive bony ridges challenges the idea that newer structures developed directly from older ones. Furthermore, because egg-laying mammals like platypuses and echidnas lack some of these suckling features, parts of this ancient anatomical system may have been lost during their evolution. While bone reconstructions cannot confirm exact nursing behaviors or establish when milk was first produced, this fossil demonstrates that early mammal relatives occupied diverse roles alongside dinosaurs.
Source: dinosaur fossil discovery - BingNews · Published October 16, 2026 · Photo by James St. John via Openverse