165-million-year-old fossil from China reveals mammal ancestor that swam and swallowed like mammals

Scientists have identified a 165-million-year-old mammal predecessor from China that had a broad tail for swimming and throat bones similar to those of modern mammals.

Named Megacauda sungei, the Jurassic-era animal could chew and swallow food using specialised structures.

Published in Nature, the findings offer new insights into how early mammals developed different feeding abilities.