The two new species, Feredocodon chowi and Dianoconodon youngi, were discovered in fossil sites in Mongolia and China, respectively. These ancient mammals are believed to be waypoints in the evolution of mammals, providing a glimpse into the intermediate period between the jaw joint being used for eating and for hearing.
The discovery of these two species is significant because both have mandibular middle ears (MdME), a feature that is crucial to understanding the evolution of mammalian hearing.
Feredocodon chowi and Dianoconodon youngi
Feredocodon chowi and Dianoconodon youngi are two new species that have been discovered in fossil sites in Mongolia and China, respectively. These ancient mammals are believed to be important in understanding the evolution of mammals, as they provide a glimpse into the intermediate period between the jaw joint being used for eating and for hearing.
The Significance of Mandibular Middle Ears (MdME)
The discovery of these two species is significant because both have mandibular middle ears (MdME), a feature that is crucial to understanding the evolution of mammalian hearing. The presence of MdME in these species suggests that they represent an important step in the transition from the reptilian jaw joint to the mammalian middle ear.