‘Once-in-a-Lifetime’ Fossil Discovery: Mammal Biting Dinosaur

A captivating discovery unveils an ancient battle between a badger-like mammal and a dinosaur three times its size. These prehistoric creatures were entombed in volcanic ash 125 million years ago, forever capturing their deadly embrace.

New research conducted by Chinese scientists suggests that small mammals had a role in preying on the dominant dinosaurs that roamed the Earth during the Cretaceous period. This finding challenges previous assumptions and opens up new possibilities for understanding the dynamic interactions between different species in this era.

Jordan Mallon, a renowned paleontologist at the Canadian Museum of Nature, expressed his astonishment when he first laid eyes on the fossil. He remarked, “my eyes popped out of my head.” Serving as a co-author on the study, Mallon believes that this fossil is the first of its kind, demonstrating a direct confrontation between a mammal and a dinosaur.

Previously, it was widely believed that mammals were too small to pose a threat to the towering dinosaurs. However, this fossil presents an intriguing scene of Repenomamus robustus, a badger-sized mammal, firmly positioned on top of Psittacosaurus lujiatunensis, a plant-eating dinosaur that stood over three feet tall. The fossil showcases the mammal sinking its sharp teeth into the dinosaur’s ribs while gripping onto its leg. The entwined positions of these ancient rivals indicate a fierce struggle, rather than mere scavenging.

Further evidence of the fierce struggle comes from the positioning of the mammal’s hind limb, which was trapped in the fold of the dinosaur’s knee during the altercation. Notably, there are no bite marks on the dinosaur, indicating that this was an aggressive attack rather than a scavenging incident.

While it is uncommon for smaller mammals to prey on much larger creatures, Mallon drew a comparison to how wolverines hunt far larger caribou, highlighting the potential ferocity of these ancient mammals. Whether Repenomamus hunted alone or in packs cannot be determined from the fossil alone, although both possibilities are viable.

This remarkable discovery took place in China’s northeastern Liaoning province in 2012, at a site referred to as “Chinese Pompeii” due to the numerous well-preserved dinosaur and animal fossils found amidst volcanic debris, reminiscent of the ancient Roman city.

The first hint that mammals may have consumed dinosaurs came from this same Chinese site in 2005, with the discovery of a baby Psittacosaurus in the stomach of a Repenomamus. However, the current fossil represents the first piece of evidence supporting the existence of “feisty mammals” capable of taking on adult dinosaurs during the Cretaceous period, as Mallon explains.

The awe-inspiring fossil is currently on display at a museum attached to a primary school in Weihai, China, providing a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity for visitors to witness this remarkable piece of natural history.

The study detailing this groundbreaking finding has been published in the journal Scientific Reports.

© 2023 AFP

 

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