Monsoons Drove Mammal Evolution In Asia
Wednesday, March 11, 2015 - 12:50
in Paleontology & Archaeology
A new study looked at the pattern of variation of the South Asian monsoon over time and compared it with the evolution of African mole rats and bamboo rats by evolutionary distribution in space and through time and found that weakening and strengthening monsoon rains played a key role in the evolution of these species. Over a period of 24 million years, the changes observed in the teeth and head shape of the rodents examined, matched the varying strength of the monsoon. Of the 38 species studied, six still exist today and the changing rains seem to have driven several species into extinction.Nature is out to kill us, as always. read more