The significance of all of this is that paleontologists are using the number of bumps mammals had to quantify their evolution during the time of dinosaurs. The animals studied were multituberculates, small rodent-like mammals. The findings inferred that these mammals eventually ate plants and started evolving from the size of mice to become as large as beavers or porcupines approximately 85 million years ago.This evolution correlated with the transition from tiny teeth to much larger teeth with multiple bumps and refutes the popular belief that mammals did not flourish until after the extinction of dinosaurs.

Of the specimens discovered, one was an adult estimated to have been 30 feet long and to have weighed at least 1.5 tons. The other two were much smaller at approximately 1/2 ton each. Due to their size and feathers like a chick’s down, flight was eliminated as a possible function for the feathers. Consequently, a whole new round of speculation and debate regarding the evolution of feathers and their function(s) has developed. This discovery also has demonstrated how the conception of dinosaurs has changed over the past 15 years.

A paleontological team has recovered the fossilized foot bone fragments that date back around 3.4 million years. The divergent, opposable big toe of the foot suggests a species of hominin other than afarensis and it used trees for locomotion. The identity of this hominin’s species is causing considerable debate in the scientific community. Since the bones were recovered from a recent dig site, it is hoped the cranium, teeth and any other associated remains might be uncovered to more clearly define the evolutionary lineage of this extremely rare find.

The functions being considered are flight, a self-defense mechanism and/or a means to attract mates. Modern flight feathers have a thin and stiff leading edge with a long and flexible aft construction, all of which help create aerodynamic lift. From the dinosaur fossils of birds’ earliest prehistoric ancestors that lived more than 150 million years ago, paleontologists determined they had feather-like plumes which were symmetrical without a stiff leading edge and therefore could not support flight. Consequently, this suggests that feathers did not evolve originally for flight but rather for coloring to elude predators, or to attract mates, or a combination of both. As previously indicated, this debate continues and will do so until more definitive information is found.

These creatures have proven to be a very adaptive and durable life form. Crinoid fossils have been discovered that are around 350 million years old and the largest one had a stem of approximately 130 feet. Numerous fossils have been unearthed and reproductions are readily available. Beautiful fossil replicas make excellent additions to the home or office decor and are great conversation pieces.

Apparently, dinosaurs also had to contend with fleas. The New York Times and the journal, Nature, both report that small animal fossils discovered in northeastern China clearly identify two species of fleas that existed around 165 and 125 million years ago. As large as some dinosaurs could be, relatively speaking, so were fleas (approximately 10 times the size of today’s fleas). The elongated mouth (siphon) had hard parts suited to penetrate the tough leathery skin of dinosaurs. It must have been pretty daunting to run into 1/2 inch bugs that wanted to suck your blood.

The earliest hominid fossil from around 3 to 4 million years ago was discovered in Africa and named Australopithicus Afarensis. The show documented man’s evolution through 3 stages to Homo Sapiens, our most recent hominid ancestor. It also identified another evolved hominin, Neandertal man. DNA tests of the Neandertal fossils however indicated no ancestral lineage to man. Interestingly, it is believed that homo sapiens was responsible for eradicating his distant cousins, Neandertals. With larger brains for elevated functions such as emotion, communication and rationalization, evolved man is an animal that is one of a few that kills its own species, kills for reasons other than food and shelter and, as a sadder commentary, has developed the ability to obliterate others on a huge scale.

Four hominid fossils were found. The skeletons show that the H. georgicus had a primitive skull and upper body, but their spines and lower limbs were well developed. Some scientists speculate that H. georgicus may not be a separate species at all; rather, they may represent a stage between Australopithecus and H. erectus. There are even scientists who have gone as far to speculate that H. georgicus represents that H. erectus may have originated in Eurasia and not Africa, as is the widely held belief.

One ironic conclusion the program draws is that man probably would not have evolved to today’s status if dinosaurs had not become extinct. It also stresses that humans must be very conscientious of the environment. A number of species that survived the age of dinosaurs are now losing their habitats and are on the verge of extinction. Any major atmospheric alteration today could easily eliminate all life forms. It’s therefore very critical that man not increase the potential for such change.

Using teeth and bones from dinosaurs, mammalian reptiles, crocodiles, turtles, and freshwater fish, a team of paleontologists have been investigating the air temperatures of the region during the Early Cretaceous. It is thought that the air temperature varied little from how it is today; meaning dinosaurs living back then would have faced harsher winters. Dinosaurs with feathers probably were better insulated and could remain active during the winter months, while their reptile counterparts likely hibernated. Dinosaur fossil reproduction allows scientists from around the world to evaluate, at least superficially, the fossils from this region and others.