Paleontologists discover fossil of bizarre groundhog-like mammal on Madagascar

The video discusses the discovery of Ventana, a new species of Gondwanatherians, in Madagascar. Ventana's skull is twice the size of the largest known mammal skull from the dinosaur age in the southern hemisphere. This discovery provides new insights into early mammalian evolution and highlights the limited knowledge about mammals during the Mesozoic era, especially in the southern hemisphere. The finding encourages further exploration of southern land masses for more mammalian fossils from the age of dinosaurs.

What group of mammals does the newly discovered species Ventana belong to?

• Cynodonts

• Therapsids

• Multituberculates

• Gondwanatherians

Where was the species Ventana sirtichi discovered?

• South America

• Madagascar

• India

• Australia

What is notable about the skull size of Ventana sirtichi?

• It is the same size as the largest known mammal skull from the dinosaur age.

• It is the smallest known mammal skull from the dinosaur age.

• It is the largest known mammal skull from the northern hemisphere.

• It is twice the size of the largest known mammal skull from the dinosaur age in the southern hemisphere.

What senses were particularly developed in Ventana sirtichi?

• Sight and touch

• Sight and taste

• Hearing and smell

• Touch and taste

What does the discovery of Ventana suggest about mammalian evolution during the Mesozoic?

• It was primarily influenced by marine life.

• There is still much to learn, especially in the southern hemisphere.

• It was limited to the northern hemisphere.

• It was well understood and documented.