Professor Shi Yukun of Nanjing University, in collaboration with researchers from the Inner Mongolia Natural History Museum, Howard University (US), and the Carnegie Museum of Natural History, analyzed mammal fossils from the Early Cretaceous period. As a result, it was confirmed through interviews with the university that small mammals from approximately 125 million years ago already possessed clear semi-aquatic adaptation features. This research achievement was published in the international academic journal Nature Communications on September 28. Xinhua News Agency reported.

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Professor Shi told reporters, "The newly discovered mammal this time has been named 'Dongoconodon platycauda,' and related specimens were discovered in Lingyuan City, Liaoning Province in 2018. This small animal was approximately 30 centimeters long, and its fore and hind limbs had well-developed lateral expansion structures, very similar to the webbed feet of modern platypuses. On the other hand, its tail was not a broad 'paddle-shaped tail' like those of modern beavers or platypuses, but rather similar in shape to that of a nutria."

Reconstructed illustration of "Dongoconodon platycauda" (left)
Professor Shi further stated, "In other words, this small mammal that lived during the age of dinosaurs had 'platypus-like limbs' and a 'nutria-like tail,' and may have used a previously unknown swimming style." (Provided by/People's Daily Online Japanese edition - Edited by/YF)