Scientists have made a groundbreaking discovery in the Gobi Desert, Mongolia, a previously unknown species of ancient mammals that coexisted with dinosaurs approximately 90 million years ago during the Cretaceous period.

Why it matters:

This marks the first time such a find has been made in the Tibetan Plateau. South Africa is reported to be one of the best regions in the world for observing dinosaur fossils.

 

The big picture:

A one-centimeter fragment of a lower jaw has been determined to be part of the Zhelestidae family, a group of mammals from the Cretaceous period.

 

Key points:

  • The fossil is a tiny, one-centimeter fragment of a lower jaw.
  • Ravjaa ishiii represents a new genus and species.
  • The species is named in tribute to Dulduityn Danzanravjaa, a revered Buddhist monk of the 19th century.
     
seyed mohammad kazemi