The Birth of Mammals
This project makes use of new fossil material from Scotland, and the latest techniques in digital palaeo-histology, to pinpoint the origin of live birth in mammals for the first time.
Last updated: 8 April 2025
About the project
This project makes use of new fossil material from Scotland, and the latest techniques in digital palaeo-histology, to pinpoint the origin of live birth in mammals for the first time. Most mammals today give birth to live young, apart from the monotremes (platypus and echidnas), which lay eggs. The patterns of growth in different types of mammal reflect their birth and growth, and these patterns are visible in the microscopic structures of their bones.
This project will identify patterns in mammal bone structures that are tied to their mode of birthing and raising their young, and use these to examine the fossil record. By doing so, it will be possible to understand when and how live-birth arose in mammals from their egg-laying ancestors.
- Project title
The Birth of Mammals
- Project active
2025 - 2030
- Research theme
Scotland's Material and Natural Heritage
Contributors
Dr Elsa Panciroli – Principal Investigator – National Museums Scotland
Dr Lucas Weaver – University of Michigan
Dr Elis Newham – Queen Mary University of London
Project contact
Dr Elsa Panciroli
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