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Prehistoric waddling 'mouse'...
The prehistoric mouse that waddled into evolutionary history - causes a scientific rethink! All the way back from Gondwanaland! The discovery of fossil bones from a waddling, mouse sized mammal in a New Zealand lake bed in Central Otago's Lake Manuherikia has stunned scientists, and could force a rethink on the evolution of New Zealand's animals. The bones from the primitive mammal, described as unlike any mammal alive today, were discovered in sediment at least 16 million years old. The mouse sized mammal walked by a waddling motion. New Zealand born palaeontologist, Trevor Worthy,originally from Masterton in the Wairarapa, who is now based at Adelaide University, said the fossils were found in a lake where crocodiles swam 17 million years ago, not only fills a gap in the country's fossil record but also helps scientists worldwide understand more about the origins of mammals. The Kiwi born scientist was effectively forced out of NZ when his application for a $200,000 grant over four years was rejected by the Foundation for Research Science and Technology. He was largely self taught after becoming a caver and interested in fossils, and unearthing a treasure trove of mega- fauna fossils in Otago in 2002 which included ancient crocodiles. A colleague and co-author said the find was incredible. The find should cause a rethink on the whole evolution of animals in New Zealand, which has previously been regarded as a land of birds. It is no doubt the most important fossils found in NZ, ranking with dinosaurs. The two jawbones and one thigh bone of the primitive "mouse" are the first hard evidence that New Zealand had indigenous land mammals, and unlike any found anywhere else in the world. It has certainly changed the minds of historians who thought New Zealand was always just for the birds. More discoveries are immiment from this site.
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Contributor's Note
This find changed the minds of scientists in regard to 'animals' in NZ - previously thought was there had only been birds in NZ.
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May, 2012
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