Jaw otter pointed out the route of migration of the Miocene epoch
Paleontologists have suggested that in ancient times animals of North America migrated over a previously unknown route. The basis for their conclusions was found in Mexico jaw of sea otter, sea otter. On their study, they reported in the journal Biology Letters.
According to one of the authors, Professor state University of new York at Buffalo Jack Zeng, at first he thought that before him the remains of a badger, but a colleague convinced him that the jaw belongs to Kalan. “But what did the sea otter in Central Mexico?”.
Scientists have suggested that about six million years ago (Miocene epoch), there was a migration route for otters from Florida to California. He could take on the Northern edge of the TRANS-Mexican volcanic belt.
“This is a completely new idea that nobody had proposed. We believe that other animals could use that route,” said Zeng.
According to the authors, they were lucky to find a jaw with a molar, which you can tell a lot about an animal which he belonged. The tooth is almost identical in Florida found the remains of ancient sea otters, is also similar teeth are found along the coasts of Florida and California. Comparing the age of the remains, scientists believe that the animals migrated from East to West.