What Happened To The Other Mesozoic Mammals?

In 2003, a fossil belonging to a mammaliaform was discovered in an ancient lakebed in what's now China. It was an almost complete skeleton the size of a platypus, a find that complicated the history of mammaliaforms. It painted a picture of their explosive diversification, their mysterious disappearance, and how our own ancestors might have survived thanks to a leg up from some leafy allies…

*They weren't /exactly/ mammals...

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Eons is a production of Complexly for PBS Digital Studios.

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References:

[shaddonon]

6:40 Brian Engh's art is mindblowing; I can practically smell the wet plants, feel the sun, hear the gremlin yammerings

[drewr.schulz]

What I would love to know is how many Mesozoic mammals/mamalliaforms had quills! They wouldn’t fossilize except in very specific conditions, but it would make a lot of sense for them to develop spines. We have FOUR seperate lineages of mammals today with quills (echidnas, tenrecs, hedgehogs, and porcupines) which makes me think there were likely several groups back then doing the same thing.

[calumreid]

Just wanted to say that I found the graphics and description of the clades of mammals in this video very helpful for my understanding!! Thanks!

[BobaBushido]

Dead end species are my absolute favorite. Thank you for this.

[ThePipemiker]

As a long time allergy sufferer, I often wonder if it wasn't the Chicxulub impactor that killed the dinosaurs: It was all that newly evolved angiosperm pollen that really sealed the deal.

[Xnaut]

I've been asking for a Mesozoic mammal episode for years, and it's finally here! Castoracauda in all it's glory is such a twist in the stereotype of "dinosaur supremacy" during the period and proves that our ancient ancestors were not helpless dino fodder all the time. No mention of Repanomamus though, which makes me wonder if they're saving the toughest of mammaliforms for its own episode. Hope so!

[theobozikis]

Thank you for touching on the Multituberculates in this video. They were the longest lineage of mammals ever! I would like to see a video starring these long-lived, little known, incredible mammals one day.

[Fantasygod]

So our ancient Cousins had their own beavers flying squirrels and moles My brain has grown exponentially!🤯

[marquesbowden]

6:41 that make sense, and it's also somewhat ironic that the biggest obstacle to mammalian evolution wasn't necessarily dinosaurs, but other Mammalian forms. Kinda wonder if they note live young or laid eggs

[Captainrizzlicious]

The day I don't hear John Davidson Ng's name is a day I will cry.

[CMVBrielman]

I’ve wondered if there happened to be any large mammals from the Mesozoic that we don’t have records of. Like how, even though mammals are dominant now, we still have large birds and reptiles.

[pikciwok]

I had a long break in viewing PBS Eons and I am pleasantly surprised by a new host. His voice is very pleasant :)

[katarinarosell]

Every time I hear "niche" said to rhyme with "itch" I take 1D4 psychic damage

[PotteryLife]

An excellent, information dense episode. Thank you.

[marloelefant]

I like how calm and professional he presents this stuff.

[kathleenwoods]

Honestly, its not surprising that the selection pressure dinosaurs represent would in part lead to this kinda specification.

[FloozieOne]

This is one of the best videos you have made. The tracing of the animals, climate and flora woven together in a beautiful tapestry is both intriguing and miraculous. One wonders what would have happened if one of the earlier forms would have adapted to the changes and come out on top. Gotta say though, I like the world as it is.

[vertsang]

always found this kind of stuff fascinating, thank you

[sonjaya]

What a fantastic host! Gabriel, you were engaging, professional, and have a lovely voice to listen to. Looking forward to more of your content if you’re going to be here!

[memyself]

0:40 how is nobody talking about how cute that thing is?!