π¦ Ancient fossil hints at early mammal live birth
Scientists found a neonatal line in a 236-million-year-old fossil from Argentina, which suggests a major evolutionary shift. This specimen, Chiniquodon theotonicus, lived during the Late Triassic period. Researchers estimated its newborn mass to be about 14% of its adult weight. This ratio closely matched modern placental mammals, supporting viviparity. The findings suggest live birth evolved 90 to 95 million years earlier than thought. π¦