Zalambdalestes lechei, a Late Cretaceous mammal from Mongolia
Zalambdalestes lechei, a Late Cretaceous mammal from Mongolia
An international team analysed functional morphology of the neck and paleoecology of the Late Cretaceous eutherian mammal Zalambdalestes lechei from Mongolia. An almost complete associated cervical skeleton, including six out of total seven vertebrae was found nearly 60 years ago by the Polish-Mongolian Paleontological Expedition in the Djadokhta Formation. Novel tools including micro-CT tomography now allow for linking the strange morphology to this animal’s feeding and defensive behaviour akin to modern tenrecs.
Illustration by Agnieszka Kapuścińska
PUBLICATION — Arnold P., Janiszewska K., Li Q., O’Connor J.K., Fostowicz-Frelik Ł. 2024. The Late Cretaceous eutherian Zalambdalestes reveals unique axis and complex evolution of the mammalian neck. Science Bulletin 69: 1767–1775. doi: 10.1016/j.scib.2024.04.027z