Science

An early predecessor to mammals could swim, suckle and swallow

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Based on a feed excerpt; full article content has not been acquired. Source evidence retrieved 07/10/2026, 15:20:26 UTC.

Briefings

A 2026 Nature study presents a Jurassic fossil showing a mammal-like throat passage and hyoid bones, suggesting an early ancestor could swallow and suckle milk. This discovery fills a gap in understanding throat evolution and provides a physical basis for the transition to modern mammalian feeding behaviors.

Key points

• A Jurassic fossil from the 2026 study displays a mammal-like pharynx and hyoid bones.
• This structure suggests an early ancestor possessed the anatomical capacity for swallowing and milk suckling.

Context

This fossil fills a critical gap in understanding throat features in the animals from which modern mammals evolved their ability to swallow as adults and suckle milk as babies.

Limitations

The evidence is a single fossil from the Jurassic period; no additional background context is supplied. The study is preprint and subject to future revision. No specific dates, locations, or named individuals are provided beyond the Jurassic timeframe.

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