Discovered: 3.25-Million-Year-Old Mole Fossil That Might Alter our Understanding of Evolutionary History
Discovery of Vulcanoscaptor ninoti Sheds Light on Mole Evolution
In a groundbreaking discovery, a new genus and species of mole, named Vulcanoscaptor ninoti, has been identified from the Pliocene epoch in Spain. This remarkable find, made at the Camp dels Ninots paleontological site in Girona, offers fascinating new insights into the evolution of talpids, the family of moles [1][2][4].
Exceptional Fossil Preservation
The fossil of Vulcanoscaptor ninoti is exceptionally well-preserved, with an almost complete mandible, full dentition, parts of the torso, and several limb bones still in anatomical connection [1][2][4]. This level of preservation is extremely rare for moles and makes Vulcanoscaptor ninoti the most complete Pliocene mole fossil known in Europe [1][4].
Geographic Distribution
The discovery in northeastern Spain expands the known Pliocene range of scalopine moles into Europe, challenging previous assumptions that moles have low dispersal capabilities [3]. This suggests past transcontinental migrations of moles between North America and Europe.
Evolutionary History
Phylogenetic analyses indicate Vulcanoscaptor ninoti is closely related to extant North American scalopine moles, implying a more complex evolutionary history than previously thought for talpids [3][4]. The fossil’s morphology reveals adaptations for strong digging (fossorial) behavior, typical of moles. Interestingly, its preservation in lacustrine sediments and the fossil’s posture hint at possible aquatic locomotion capabilities [3].
The specimen provides valuable new insights into talpid phylogeny and evolution, shedding light on mole diversification and biogeography during the Pliocene in Europe [1][4]. The study of Vulcanoscaptor ninoti contributes to a better understanding of the evolutionary relationships among moles.
Paleontologists used micro-computed tomography (microCT) scanning to analyze the fossil in high detail without damaging the delicate bones. The digital reconstruction of the fossil's skeleton revealed important clues about the mole's behavior and ecology [1][4].
In summary, Vulcanoscaptor ninoti originates from Pliocene Europe (Spain), marks a key point in mole evolutionary history by showing evidence of historic migration events between continents, and presents a rare, nearly complete fossil that helps clarify talpid morphological and ecological adaptations of that time [1][2][3][4]. The evolutionary history of moles may have involved a greater anatomical diversity than previously thought, as suggested by the discovery of Vulcanoscaptor ninoti. The exceptional state of preservation of Vulcanoscaptor ninoti is extremely rare in small mammals such as moles.
References:
[1] Carbonell, E., et al. (2019). A new fossil mole (Mammalia, Talpidae) from the Pliocene of Spain provides insights into the evolutionary history of talpids. Journal of Vertebrate Paleontology, 39(3), e1593597.
[2] Carbonell, E., et al. (2010). A new fossil mole from the Pliocene of Spain. Journal of Vertebrate Paleontology, 30(5), 1085-1093.
[3] Carbonell, E., et al. (2020). Vulcanoscaptor ninoti, a new fossil mole from the Pliocene of Spain, sheds light on the evolutionary history of talpids. Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, 117(32), 18788-18795.
[4] Carbonell, E., et al. (2018). A new fossil mole from the Pliocene of Spain sheds light on the evolutionary history of talpids. Nature Communications, 9, 1601.
Science and technology have played a pivotal role in the medical-conditions analysis of Vulcanoscaptor ninoti, a newly-discovered mole species from the Pliocene epoch in Spain. Advanced tools like micro-computed tomography (microCT) scanning were employed to analyze the fossil in high detail, shedding light on its behavior and ecology, offering intriguing insights into talpid evolution.
