Scientists have answered a longstanding question about mammalian evolution to determine when the integral trait of warm-bloodedness first emerged.
Scientists have answered a longstanding question about mammalian evolution, examining ear anatomy to determine when warm-bloodedness – a trait integral to the lineage’s success – first emerged.
Endothermy evolved at a time when important features of the mammal body plan were falling into place, including whiskers and fur, changes to the backbone related to gait, the presence of a diaphragm, and a more mammal-like jaw joint and hearing system. “Run faster, run longer, be more active, be active through longer periods of the circadian cycle, be active through longer periods of the year, increase foraging area. The possibilities are endless. All this at a great cost, though. More energy requires more food, more foraging, and so on. It is a fine balance between the energy you spend and the energy you intake,” Araújo said.
“Given how central endothermy is to so many aspects of the body plan, physiology and lifestyle of modern mammals, when it evolved in our ancient ancestors has been a really important unsolved question in palaeontology,” said palaeontologist and study co-author Ken Angielczyk of the Field Museum in Chicago.
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