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Science Magazine ➠ Hibernation may have a far more ancient history than previously thought. A new study suggests that 250 million years ago, a pig-size, ancient relative to mammals slowed its metabolism during harsh Antarctic winters, The New York Times reports.

By Lucy Hicks

Lystrosaurus, which translates to “shovel lizard,” had short, stubby tusks that grew in layers similar to tree rings. When researchers compared cross-sections of six Lystrosaurus tusks from Antarctica with four from what is now South Africa, they found that the tusks from the Antarctic had closely spaced, thick rings, indicating a slowdown in metabolism, they report this week in Communications Biology. Such a slowdown likely resulted from stress. And given the regularity of the pattern—and its similarity to those in the teeth of modern-day hibernators—ancient hibernation is a likely cause. 

This 250-Million-Year-Old Creature May have Hibernated Like Modern Animals

Science Magazine ➠ Hibernation may have a far more ancient history than previously thought. A new study suggests that 250 million years ago, a pig-size, ancient relative to mammals slowed its metabolism during harsh Antarctic winters, The New York Times reports.

By Lucy Hicks

Lystrosaurus, which translates to “shovel lizard,” had short, stubby tusks that grew in layers similar to tree rings. When researchers compared cross-sections of six Lystrosaurus tusks from Antarctica with four from what is now South Africa, they found that the tusks from the Antarctic had closely spaced, thick rings, indicating a slowdown in metabolism, they report this week in Communications Biology. Such a slowdown likely resulted from stress. And given the regularity of the pattern—and its similarity to those in the teeth of modern-day hibernators—ancient hibernation is a likely cause. 
Science Magazine

1 comment:

  1. Steve R11:24 PM, September 08, 2020

    Interesting and makes sense. Even reptiles use brumation as we are well aware moving into spring with all the feckin nope rope snakes popping up even in the burbs!

    ReplyDelete

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