The Oldest Ever Bat Fossil Has Been Discovered | 7 Days of Science

In this week's 7 Days of Science, we take a look at a host of palaeontology news, and a rocket that hasn't quite got up to space yet. From Pachycephalosaurs to Starship, bats to the Tully Monster, the news has been newsing once again.

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Social Media:

Sources:
SpaceX:

Oldest bat fossil:

New pachycephalosaur:

First therizinosaur and troodontid from UK:

The Tully Monster is not a vertebrate now?:

[JohnDrummondPhoto]

This very ancient bat is still a recognizably derived bat. The day that someone unearths a transitional bat-like insectivore with long fingers but not true wings, the world of mammalian paleontology will explode.

[marvinbange]

Tullymonstrum is so fascinating. Its just baffeling how a creature can be so bizarre that even with hundreds of well preserved fossil we cant agree on even the most basic of placements 😂

[duneydan]

We still haven't found really early transitional forms. Bats are the pterosaurs of the mammals.

[NextToToddliness]

Having something of a beak, and a cephalopod-like back section, I always kinda figured it was some branch offshoot of Gastropoda, like an early cousin. It's still a fascinating, and often frustrating organism, like the much debated Spinosaurus. I'm also okay not knowing either way.

[SarastistheSerpent]

Hot take: Bats are the most underrated mammals

[FlyingFocs]

Man, I need a name for my metal band.
*hears Icaronycteris, the oldest species of bat*
What astounding timing

[johnmoore]

Cool bat fossils, a new dinosaur, nice news this week! Thanks!

[lawka]

The premature cuts never get old!! love you guys

[TheAttilia]

Update, the SpaceX Starship underwent "Rapid Unscheduled Disassembly"

[rianantony]

Cant wait to get a deeper analysis of the new bat fossil hopefully it reveals some about their early evolution? Hopefully

[loditx]

How beautiful, and moving to view the proof of such ancient life, so delicate, so complete. My mind is lost in the space of time.🦇❤️

[amandastakeonit]

Wow!! That bat information is cool!
🦇

[leilaclarridge]

Maybe the Tully Monster is the friends we made along the way?

[alaskatheakita]

Is the “Does the Tully monster have a g-spot debate?” Over?

[Idate._intrepidus]

Man the oldest bat fossil still look like one today

[tolbaszy]

Superb diction, Doug! The Cardboard Doug visuals could use a tweak in choreography, though. Thanks for another informative and stimulating video!

[effoednagy]

I don't think the cut off will ever wear off. Kills me every time!

[keepcalmlovedinosaurs]

I plan on including icaronycternis in a future book. The transitional shape of the animal is unique!

[Chompchompyerded]

S[aceX's rocket did launch today, and blew up mid-air.

[Slipewater]

He did not finish saying “welcome.” How am I to know whether I am welcome?