Africa: What Fossils Reveal About the Hairy History of Mammals' Ancestors

analysis

Scientists know a fair amount about the evolution of feathers in dinosaurs and birds. But less is known about the origin of hair in mammals' ancestors.

A new study by a group of researchers from South Africa's University of the Witwatersrand used scanning technology and 3D modelling to fill in some of the gaps around mammal hair evolution. To do this, they focused on prehistoric mammal-like animals called therapsids. Natasha Joseph, science and technology editor of The Conversation Africa, chatted to lead researcher Dr Julien Benoit about their findings.

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