By Laura Geggel, Senior Writer | November 11, 2016 11:51am ET
A single fossilized backbone is the first evidence on record that dolphins once swam around the waters of ancient Madagascar, scientists say.
The fossil backbone, or vertebra, dates to between 5 million and 9 million years ago during the late Miocene epoch, and belongs to a previously unknown and still unnamed species of dolphin, the researchers said.
"This exciting discovery marks the first fossil cetacean [a group including dolphins, whales and porpoises] from Madagascar," said study lead researcher Karen Samonds, an associate professor of biological sciences at Northern Illinois University.
Continued
A single fossilized backbone is the first evidence on record that dolphins once swam around the waters of ancient Madagascar, scientists say.
The fossil backbone, or vertebra, dates to between 5 million and 9 million years ago during the late Miocene epoch, and belongs to a previously unknown and still unnamed species of dolphin, the researchers said.
"This exciting discovery marks the first fossil cetacean [a group including dolphins, whales and porpoises] from Madagascar," said study lead researcher Karen Samonds, an associate professor of biological sciences at Northern Illinois University.
Continued
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