ULAANBAATAR: A previously unknown species of ancient mammal that lived alongside dinosaurs during the Cretaceous period, about 90 million years ago, has been recorded for the first time in Mongolia.
This fast-moving, small-bodied animal has been named “Ravjaa ishii”. While fossils of this species have been found in parts of Europe, Asia, Africa and North America, this marks the first discovery of its kind in Mongolia. The fossil was unearthed in the Bayanshiree Mountains of Dornogovi province.
This find provides new insight into the traits, climate and geographic distribution of Cretaceous mammals. A paleontological analysis of the animal’s teeth shows that “Ravjaa” was a small, mouse-like herbivore that chewed its food, though some relatives in the same family were carnivorous or insectivorous.
The discovery is the result of a joint study between the Institute of Paleontology of the Mongolian Academy of Sciences and Okayama University of Science in Japan. Mongolian researchers Dr KhishigjavTsogtbaatar and Buuvei Mainbayar participated in the study. - Go Go Mongolia/ANN
