Scientists find mammals with dinosaur like features

Q.  Which ancient hoofed mammal has unusual features similar to the nasal crusts of the lambeosaurine hadrosaur dinosaurs?
- Published on 08 Feb 16

a. Rusingoryx atopocranion
b. Tusingoryx atopocranion
c. Dusingoryx atopocranion
d. Musingoryx atopocranion

ANSWER: Rusingoryx atopocranion
 
This shows a convergent evolution across millions of years between two distinctly related species. The scientists collected the fossil of wildebeest animals from Australia’s Bovid Hills in New South Wales. Most of the fossils belong to the lesser known species Rusingoryx atopocranion. It was in 2011 that University of Minnesota researchers found many skeletons of the ancient animal in one spot. Based on their anatomical investigations together with acoustical modelling, researchers think the trumpet-like nasal tube may have allowed Rusingoryx to deepen its normal vocal calls.

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