Two brand-new species of early mammals from the Jurassic period have been discovered, shedding light on the evolution of the mammalian middle ear and jaw joint. These new species offer insight into how our ears evolved over millions of years.
Key Points
Two new species of early mammals discovered resembling modern weasels
Fossils indicate evolution of the jaw joint towards specialized hearing function
Significance in understanding the evolution of mammalian ears and teeth
Pros
Provides insights into the evolution of the mammalian middle ear and jaw joint
Helps in understanding the transitional stages in evolutionary history
Cons
Some classification of ancient mammals remains contested among paleontologists