The discovery of the fossils of a small mammal, Sivatupaia ramnagarensis or commonly referred to as treeshrew, has recently sparked interest among the scientific community. This unique genus and species was discovered in Jammu and Kashmir, extending our knowledge of fossil tupaiids in the Siwaliks by an additional 2.5-4.0 million years.
Introduction to Treeshrews
Treeshrews belong to the family Tupaiidæ, which encompasses various species of East Indian and Asiatic insectivores. These creatures resemble squirrels in size and arboreal habits with a distinguished long and pointed nose. Despite their prevalence today, treeshrews are rare elements of the fossil record with only a few known species throughout the Cenozoic era.
The Cenozoic era, also known as ‘recent life,’ spans from 66 million years ago until today. The flora and fauna from this era bear the closest resemblance to those found on Earth today. Periods within the Cenozoic era are further divided into epochs for more detailed study and understanding.
Dietary Patterns of Treeshrews
Investigation into the dietary patterns of the newfound tupaiid suggest its preference towards a less mechanically challenging or more fruit-centric diet compared to its contemporaries and other fossil tupaiids. Dietary analysis, a method to analyse the nutritional quality, pattern and quantity of food consumed by an individual, helps in deriving such conclusions.
Significance of this Discovery
The discovery is instrumental in identifying time-sensitive dental features and species, thus aiding in providing a more precise age estimate for this Ramnagar locality – approximately between 12.7-11.6 million years.
Exploring Siwalik Sediments
The Siwalik sedimentary sequence is found in the east-west foothills of the youngest mountain belt, the Himalayas. It is significant as it captures the evolution of multiple mammalian groups, including treeshrews, hedgehogs, and other small mammals, from the middle Miocene Epoch through to the Pleistocene.
Prelude to the Miocene Epoch
Occurring between 23.03 to 5.3 million years ago, the Miocene Epoch was a period characterized by warmer global climates. This epoch saw the emergence of two major ecosystems – kelp forests and Grasslands. The expansion of grasslands was a result of the drying of continental interiors due to warming and subsequent cooling global climate. Miocene deposits are found globally across North and South America, Southern Europe, India, Mongolia, East Africa, and Pakistan.
Understanding the Pleistocene or Ice Age
The Pleistocene is an epoch spanning from about 2,580,000 to 11,700 years ago, during which the earth underwent numerous glaciations or ice ages. This period stands out for its episodes of global cooling that shaped the history of the Earth’s climate.
