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Fossilists have discovered newly identified fish in Australia, where they were well preserved so that they can select her last meal-to up to 16 million years to Myosin era.
Researchers discovered fossilized water, named Ferruaspis Brooksi, at McGraths Flat in the center of New South Wales, according to a study published on March 17 in Vertebrate Magazine Magazine.
The study team dug multiple fossils containing F. Brocksi, each in Goethite, an iron -rich metal that keeps fish with extraordinary details. This rare excavation process allowed researchers to examine the structural features of the species, including their soft, stomach and coloring patterns.
“Every time I took a detailed look at a fossil from McGraths Flat, I am surprised by its detailed memorization,” said Dr. Michael Fariz, associate professor and virus at Canberra University. “It’s very surprising, (and) it is extremely rare to be able to know the color of fossil fish like this.”
Besides identifying the new species, researchers revealed the first detailed guide on Osmeriformes, a group that includes modern Grayings and Shelts, in Australia.
Until now, scientists have only been able to speculate when Smelts first reached the continent due to the lack of fossil evidence, but this new discovery offers decisive visions in the old ecosystems in the region.
Follow a prehistoric mesh
F. Brocksi has been preserved with a lot of details that the research team was able to determine the last meal patterns and colors. – Museum Museum/Australian Museum
Using a high-energy microscope, fossil scientists analyzed the stomach contents and intestinal tract for F. Brooksi and found that fish are mainly feeding on different types of Midge-larvae, which are almost transparent ornamental larvae-along with the insect wings and even small. DualismOr softness with articulated shells.
“Knowing their diet helps us to start drawing a picture of food chains and food networks in the original environments,” said Dr. Anthony Martin, professor of practice at the Department of Environmental Sciences at Emory University in Atlanta, who did not participate in the study.
One sample of fish has fresh mussels connected to its tail. This result is rare because the lake sediments found by F. Brooksi will not support an environment to reach sexual maturity and producing Gilkida – larvae, parasitic stage for some fresh water improvements, Freiz said. He added that it is possible that the parasites with fish are in a nearby river, indicating that there is a connection between the fossil site and the adjacent waterway.
Stomach contents not only help fossil scientists determine what fish eat, but also when they were feeding.
“Midge Phantom) do not occur in the lakes that contain fish, and those that coexist with fish are often a daytime migration to avoid predators during the day,” said Freiz.
“Since most Chaoborus larvae spent most of the day in the sediments, hidden from Pelagic Predators, P. Proxy is likely to have been on CHAoborus at night.”
A glimpse of history
One of the most surprising discoveries was the presence of melanovines or pigmented cells, providing an insight into fish coloring.
The excavations that revealed F. Proxy for a thin body, similar to modern stilms. Fish also provided evidence of counter recovery, as the animal was darker at the top and lighter on its stomach, with two lines that extend along its body, according to the study.
Freez pointed out that this coloring pattern may indicate shallow behavior, as fish gather in loose social groups. Martin added that it is also possible to help anti -species recovery to evade predators from the top.
The F. Brooksi clarification highlights what species may seem 16 million years ago. Alex Boiresma
While the middle of New South Wales is now characterized by plains and plateaus, during the music, the area was surrounded by lush rainforests, according to the study. Discover F. Brooksi West Great division group It indicates that, unlike most of the remaining aspects, this type may have spent his entire life in fresh water, according to the study.
“While this study focuses on one type of fish, it is part of a broader ecosystem that we assemble by digging excavations from the site,” said Freiz.
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