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Brisbane fossil find may provide missing link in animal evolution Brisbane fossil find may provide missing link in animal evolution
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Fossils discovered in Brisbane and thought to be 50m years old could shed light on a missing link in the evolution of animals since the death of the dinosaurs, according to scientists.Fossils discovered in Brisbane and thought to be 50m years old could shed light on a missing link in the evolution of animals since the death of the dinosaurs, according to scientists.
The fossils of ancient crocodiles, fish and plants were found in a layer of oil shale by workers on a $100m overpass project in the suburb of Geebung.The fossils of ancient crocodiles, fish and plants were found in a layer of oil shale by workers on a $100m overpass project in the suburb of Geebung.
The workers’ drilling during excavation brought some of the fossils to the surface about a fortnight ago and more fossils have since been found in Queensland’s capital.The workers’ drilling during excavation brought some of the fossils to the surface about a fortnight ago and more fossils have since been found in Queensland’s capital.
Queensland Museum Network’s CEO, Prof Suzanne Miller, said the find filled part of a gap in the scientific record of animal evolution since dinosaurs became extinct 66m years ago. "In the whole of northern Australia, this is absolutely unique," Miller said. "And depending on what we find, because we are just at the beginning of this project, this could be unique in the world."Queensland Museum Network’s CEO, Prof Suzanne Miller, said the find filled part of a gap in the scientific record of animal evolution since dinosaurs became extinct 66m years ago. "In the whole of northern Australia, this is absolutely unique," Miller said. "And depending on what we find, because we are just at the beginning of this project, this could be unique in the world."
She added: "This site is particularly significant because very few sites of this age are available for study, as similar-aged sites in the greater Brisbane area are often no longer accessible due to housing and urban development.She added: "This site is particularly significant because very few sites of this age are available for study, as similar-aged sites in the greater Brisbane area are often no longer accessible due to housing and urban development.
"The construction works have fortuitously provided access to a new locality that was not previously known to paleontologists.""The construction works have fortuitously provided access to a new locality that was not previously known to paleontologists."
The rail overpass project is not going to be delayed but engineers are working with the University of Queensland and the museum to uncover more fossils.The rail overpass project is not going to be delayed but engineers are working with the University of Queensland and the museum to uncover more fossils.
The find is rare for Brisbane, although various types of fossils have been found in western Queensland.The find is rare for Brisbane, although various types of fossils have been found in western Queensland.
Dozens of fossils believed to be 98m years old were found last month in a dinosaur dig north-east of Longreach, about 1,000kms from Brisbane.Dozens of fossils believed to be 98m years old were found last month in a dinosaur dig north-east of Longreach, about 1,000kms from Brisbane.
The fossils are thought to be part of a skeleton of a Wintonotitan, one of Australia’s largest dinosaurs, although it is possible they are part of a whole new species.The fossils are thought to be part of a skeleton of a Wintonotitan, one of Australia’s largest dinosaurs, although it is possible they are part of a whole new species.
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