Seals from Land to Ocean
By Wendy Heller, April 22, 2009 @ 01:00 AM (EST)
Source: Reuters.com
Scientists in Canada's Arctic have discovered the fossil of a previously unknown web-footed carnivore that helps explain how seals developed from land-based mammals, a member of the team said on Wednesday.
The very primitive animal, measuring around 110 cm (43 inches) from nose to tail, had a body similar to that of an otter, with a skull more closely related to a seal.
It lived in and around fresh water lakes about 20 million to 24 million years ago.
The mammal, named Puijila darwin, could move easily on both land and water and is a member of the pinniped family, which groups seals, sea lions and walruses.
The science team has dubbed it "a walking seal", although it is not the direct ancestor of any modern seal...
Comments
Be the first to add a comment to this article.
You must be logged in to comment.
Related Content
May 1, 2012, 9:48AM
Scientists studying the recovery of the Atlantic cod species in the eastern Scotian Shelf previously believed that its delay was more
April 30, 2012, 3:14PM
Theme for April is “Marine Mammals” more
January 4, 2012, 12:30PM
New species found in Antarctic Vents include bizarre looking hairy-chested yeti crab and an albino looking octopus more
April 13, 2011, 8:00AM
Penguin and Krill populations fall in Antarctica more
April 9, 2011, 3:45AM
Large fossil of shark’s jaw found in mine more
Sponsors
Dive Industry News
Participants in PADI Public Safety Diver workshop help recover stolen vehicleDAN Alert Diver magazine now available for Android usersFirst recipient of the Richard A. Hartley Scholarship AnnouncedAtlantis Azores announces new Philippines departures, itinerariesDive Pirates to stage DIVEAPALOOZA this weekend in Texas
What's New
