The fossil, which was found in a limestone quarry, is the oldest, nearly complete porcupine skeleton documented from North America.
An exceptionally rare porcupine fossil skeleton found in Florida has helped to resolve a long-standing evolutionary mystery.The research, published in the journal Current Biology, sheds new light on the evolutionary history of North American porcupines.The origin of North American porcupines has long been the subject of debate among biologists who study these animals.Central and South America are home to 16 porcupine species, all belonging to the genus Coendou.
These traits include a relatively small body size, long fingers capped with sickle-shaped claws for gripping branches, and long, prehensile tails capable of grasping, which can be used for climbing and reaching for fruit.North American porcupines, meanwhile, are adapted to temperate forests. They have larger bodies, shorter tails and a different jaw shape—the latter adaptation enabling them to eat tree bark when food is scarce during cold winters.
United Kingdom Latest News, United Kingdom Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
Rare skin fossil sheds new light on dinosaur feathersLaura is a science news writer, covering a wide variety of subjects, but she is particularly fascinated by all things aquatic, paleontology, nanotechnology, and exploring how science influences daily life. Laura is a proud former resident of the New Jersey shore, a competitive swimmer, and a fierce defender of the Oxford comma.
Read more »
Florida fossil porcupine solves a prickly dilemma 10-million years in the makingAn exceptionally rare fossilized porcupine skeleton discovered in Florida has allowed researchers to trace the evolutionary history for one of North America's rarest mammals.
Read more »
Florida fossil porcupine solves a prickly dilemma 10 million years in the makingThere's a longstanding debate simmering among biologists who study porcupines. There are 16 porcupine species in Central and South America, but only one in the United States and Canada. DNA evidence suggests North America's sole porcupine belongs to a group that originated 10 million years ago, but fossils seem to tell a different story.
Read more »
Wild Find: Fossil Captures 155-Million-Year-Old Brittle Star Mid-RegenerationThe Best in Science News and Amazing Breakthroughs
Read more »
Longstanding Paleontology Mystery Solved – Revolutionary Fossil Find in Morocco Unveils Origins of Spiders and ScorpionsScience, Space and Technology News 2024
Read more »
Rare Recovered Anime From 1923 Offers Rare Look at the Industry's OriginsLion produced the anime short Dental Health in the early 1920s.
Read more »