Topic: fossil evidence
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Ancient Land Animals Evolved Without Tadpole Stage
A new study challenges the long-held assumption that early tetrapods, like modern amphibians, began as aquatic tadpoles and metamorphosed into terrestrial adults. Researchers focused on 300-million-year-old embolomers, large predators resembling crocodile-eel hybrids with limbs suited for water a...
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Unicorn-Like Spinosaurus Unearthed in Sahara
New Spinosaurus fossils from an inland desert site challenge previous views, indicating it was neither fully terrestrial nor fully aquatic, but had a more complex lifestyle. Analysis of the fossils, particularly the rigid tail structure, suggests the dinosaur's sail was not for swimming but likel...
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Southern Africa's Humans Were Isolated Until Recently
A new study successfully analyzed ancient genomes from southern Africa, revealing a population that remained genetically distinct and isolated for millennia, only integrating with other groups about 1,000 years ago. Reconstructing human history in Africa is challenging due to poor ancient DNA pre...
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Dinosaurs Thrived Until the Asteroid Struck
The primary cause of the dinosaurs' extinction was a catastrophic asteroid impact at the end of the Cretaceous period, though volcanic activity and ecosystem decline were also considered factors. A recent study of fossils from just before the impact suggests that species richness in the affected ...
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Ancient Hominins Showed Signs of Lead Poisoning 2 Million Years Ago
Evidence of lead poisoning in ancient hominins' teeth dates back nearly two million years, challenging the idea that significant exposure began with recent human industry. Researchers analyzed 51 fossil teeth and found that 71% showed episodic lead exposure during early development, including in ...
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