国际最新研究揭示：1.66亿年前的早期哺乳动物可能拥有更长的寿命和更慢的生长发育周期。这项研究成果基于在苏格兰发现的一具化石，其年代可追溯至约1.66亿年前的中侏罗世，标志着哺乳动物的发育过程在此期间经历了重要转变。
论文的共同通讯作者、来自英国苏格兰国家博物馆的Elsa Panciroli及其研究团队，通过对发现于苏格兰斯凯岛的Krusatodon kirtlingtonensis化石标本进行了深入研究。这些化石包括幼年和成年柱齿兽的部分骨骼。通过分析牙齿的生长增量，研究团队发现成年个体大约有7岁，而幼年个体在死亡时的年龄约为7至24个月，正处于乳牙向恒牙转换的阶段。
研究团队进一步通过分析牙齿长度以及前肢和大腿骨的周长，估计成年Krusatodon kirtlingtonensis的体重范围在倭树鼩（约58克）和八齿鼠（约158克）之间。同时，他们估计幼年个体的体重占成年个体体重的51%至59%。
基于这些数据，研究团队得出结论，Krusatodon kirtlingtonensis的发育期较长，这意味着在相近的体重下，它的最大寿命明显长于现代哺乳动物，其中包含更长的发育期。这一发现提供了关于早期哺乳动物生命周期的宝贵信息，有助于科学家更好地理解哺乳动物的进化过程和生命历史。
这项研究通过详细的化石分析和科学推断，为我们揭示了远古生物的生命周期，为哺乳动物学和古生物学的研究提供了新的视角。它不仅增加了我们对早期哺乳动物生活习性的认识，也为研究生命进化和适应性提供了重要的线索。
英语如下：
News Title: “Early Mammals May Have Had Longer Lifespans Than Modern Counterparts, Study Finds”
Keywords: Paleobiological Research, Mammals, Lifespan Development
News Content: An international study has revealed that early mammals from 166 million years ago might have had longer lifespans and slower growth and development cycles. This finding was based on a fossil discovery in Scotland, dating back to approximately 166 million years ago during the Middle Jurassic period, marking a significant shift in the development process of mammals during this time.
The study, co-led by Elsa Panciroli, a researcher at the National Museum of Scotland, and her team, focused on the fossil specimen of Krusatodon kirtlingtonensis found on the Isle of Skye in Scotland. The fossils included parts of the skeleton of both juveniles and adults. By analyzing the growth increments in the teeth, the research team found that the adult specimens were around 7 years old, while the juveniles were estimated to be between 7 to 24 months old, in the process of transitioning from baby teeth to permanent teeth.
Further analysis of the length of teeth and the circumference of forelimbs and thigh bones allowed the team to estimate that the adult Krusatodon kirtlingtonensis weighed between the size of a shrew (approximately 58 grams) and an eight-toothed mouse (approximately 158 grams). They also estimated that the weight of the juvenile individuals was between 51% to 59% of the adult weight.
Based on these data, the research team concluded that the development period of Krusatodon kirtlingtonensis was longer, implying that for the same body size, its maximum lifespan was significantly longer than that of modern mammals, including a longer development period. This discovery provides valuable insights into the life cycle of early mammals, aiding scientists in a better understanding of mammalian evolution and history.
This study, through detailed fossil analysis and scientific inference, has unveiled the life cycles of ancient organisms, offering new perspectives in the fields of mammalogy and paleontology. It not only enhances our understanding of the life habits of early mammals but also provides crucial clues for the study of life evolution and adaptability.
【来源】http://www.chinanews.com/gj/2024/07-27/10258442.shtml
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