Mammals
Diversity of life
An ancient history preserved in tiny teeth
Mammals existed and diversified long before non-avian dinosaurs disappeared. Their often tiny teeth reveal a history richer than a few animals hiding in the giants’ shadow.
The method in practice
Teeth withstand fossilisation relatively well and preserve many characters. Their shape, cusps and contact surfaces are compared to assess groups and dietary adaptations. Collection usually involves sieving and patient microscope sorting.
At Angeac and in regional comparisons
Mesozoic mammals at these sites are known mainly from teeth and small jaw fragments. Cherves and Chassiron collections provide useful comparisons for Angeac research. Cusp shape, arrangement and wear surfaces distinguish groups sometimes absent from the larger specimens collected in the field.
What this research reveals
The anatomy of Angeac’s mammals is compared with specimens from other fossil sites.
Specimens and data
Mammals identified from their tiny teeth
The shape and arrangement of cusps distinguish different mammal groups. Front, side and top views reveal different anatomical features.
Enlarge each plate to examine labels, specimen identifiers and scale bars.
People and expertise
Maxime Debuysschere and Joane Pouech contribute to the study of fossil mammals. This research also relies on the people who collect, sort, prepare and document these small specimens.
Further reading
Overview reference: Dinosaures, les géants du vignoble (2017), p. 236–245.
Publications and results → · The book and its authors →
