Fossil detection of the first mammal

An almost complete fossil of a scale-sized anteater, like a badger, dates back to the early mammal early on in Mongolia, according to a report by the Vertebrate Paleontology magazine.

The animal is estimated at nearly 57 million years old and is one of the earliest mammals to appear on Earth, right after the dinosaurs became extinct.

Named Ernanodon , this species is little known for its only extant fossil.

Fossils of the pangolin's ancestors (below) and the bones of today's pangolin (above).

But archaeologists in Mongolia have unearthed the second nearly complete fossil, helping them better understand the animal. This fossil lies in a 57 million-year-old rock mass dating back to the Paelecene century, lasting 55 to 65 million years ago.

Alexander Agadjanian, of the Borissiak Institute of paleontology, Russia said: 'This is a rare discovery and the skeleton of this species represents one of the most complete skeletons ever discovered in the period. This is in Naran Bulak area '.

Dailymail said this species specializes in digging for food or nesting and has the size of a badger today. Its legs are strong, big nails and fine teeth are abnormally reduced.

This animal's fossil was first found in 1979 to be highly controversial, some scientists claim to be the ancestor of the present-day armadillo, while others think it is close relative. of pangolin.

And this new finding is inclined to the second argument but it is the original ancestor of the pangolin.

Peter Kondrashov, University of ATStill, USA said: 'Since there is only one fossil skull behind the Paelecene mammal in Asia, this Ernanodon fossil is an infinite source of information. important about this animal's life, customs and relationships'.