Paleontologists in China have found an extraordinary fossil depicting a mammal engaged in a brutal confrontation with a dinosaur. A rare find discovered in a remote region of northeastern China offers a glimpse into the battle for life that took place some 125 million years ago.
The fossil was discovered by a team of researchers during an expedition in Liaoning Province. According to initial analysis, the fossilized remains of a quadrupedal mammal, Repenomamus robustus, the size of a medium-sized dog, were found in a frenzied fight with a dinosaur.
Scientists suspect that they were suddenly covered with volcanic mud and buried alive during the deadly encounter. The mammal's jaws were firmly clamped on the dinosaur's leg, and the dinosaur's tail was wrapped around the mammal's body, indicating a desperate attempt to repel the attack.
Paleontologists expressed their surprise at the find, because it is extremely rare to find direct evidence of interaction between mammals and dinosaurs. And the fact that they are so perfectly preserved in the found fossils is simply amazing.
Although the confrontation between mammals and dinosaurs ended tragically for both creatures, this discovery represents a unique opportunity for scientists to learn more about the ecosystems and interactions that shaped life on Earth millions of years ago.
Source: nature.com
