Jakarta –
Scientists discover a mammal in the stomach of a species dinosaur fly, Microraptor. The mammal is thought to have been the last meal of the crow-sized raptor before it died out 120 million years ago.
Scientists discovered Microraptor’s last supper while examining its fossil remains at a museum in China. Well-preserved fossils of Microraptor zhaoianus include a small mammal in its stomach measuring 1 cm or the size of a small mouse.
The discovery marks the first known instance of a dinosaur preying on a mammal, the researchers wrote in the study, published Dec. 20 in the Journal of Vertebrate Paleontology.
“I couldn’t believe it at first,” study author Hans Larsson, director of the Redpath Museum and vertebrate paleontologist at McGill University in Montreal, said in a statement.
“These findings are the only solid evidence we have of food consumption by these long-extinct animals, and they are extremely rare,” he continued.
Prior to this discovery, there were only 20 known cases of fossilized remains containing the last meal, according to Live Science dinosaur carnivorous. This includes the skeleton of the Daurlong Wangi, a species of raptor also found in China.
The new discovery is also the second direct evidence that theropods, mostly carnivorous dinosaurs including Tyrannosaurus rex, preyed on mammals.
“We already know of preserved Microraptor specimens with fish, bird and lizard parts in their stomachs,” Larsson said.
Not a picky eater
“These new discoveries added small mammals to their diets, demonstrating that these dinosaurs were opportunistic rather than picky eaters,” Larsson said.
She added, “Knowing they don’t specialize in certain foods is a big deal.” According to him, this could be the first evidence that a generalist carnivore is part of the Cretaceous ecosystem.
In other words, the dinosaur Microraptor could have acted as a stabilizer in the ecosystem, just like modern foxes and crows.
What mammals found in the stomach of Microraptor?
In Smithsonian Magazine, the identity of the mammal is still unknown. However, scientists note that its bones are similar in structure to those of Sinodelphys, Yanoconodon and Eomaia species. These three species are ancient mammals that look like mice or opossums.
The researchers also don’t know if dinosaur these hunt and kill these mammals or find them and eat them when they are dead.
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