Recently found animals fossils put some light on how species existed several millions of years ago. These fossils also indicate that humans were...
Recently found animals fossils put some light on how species existed several millions of years ago. These fossils also indicate that humans were more devastating compared to any consequences caused due to climate change.
The study, published in the journal Proceedings of the national Academy of Sciences, contains information on the fossils recently found on Abaco Island. According to researchers, animals like crocodiles, tortoises, and iguanas managed to survive the last ice age and they became extinct after humans settlement started, Live Science reported.
Lead author Dave Steadman, ornithology curator at the University of Florida (UF) Museum of Natural History, said in a press release that the species that managed to survive on the Abaco Island underwent several environmental changes. It was found that some of those species failed to cope with the changing environment and could not adapt the changes.
"So, there must be different mechanisms driving these two types of extinctions. What is it about people that so many island species could not adapt to? That's what we want to find out", said Steadman.
The fossils were found in the Sawmill Sinkhole in the middle of a forest on Abaco Island. The fossils that were excavated from the sinkhole were complete well preserved skeletons of crocodiles and some other animals. These animals might have fallen to death in the sinkhole, said researchers.
According to the team, the time when humans started to settle after the end of the last ice age it brought major changes in the habitat. This change was so quick that local species failed to match the pace which resulted in losses.
