Mammals Diversified Much More Rapidly 66 Million Years Ago

An analysis of skull shapes reveals that the once rapid rate of mammal diversification is now much more sluggish.

By Sam Walters
Oct 28, 2022 6:20 PMOct 28, 2022 7:36 PM
Blue Whale
(Credit: Earth theater/Shutterstock)

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Our planet sustains an astonishing diversity of plant and animal species, though this diversity didn't develop at a stable, steady rate. According to a recent research study in Science, distinctive shapes and sizes of mammal skulls throughout time have revealed that animals once split off into separate species much more rapidly than they do today.

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