Parental care is a behavior strategy that is typically seen in highly evolved vertebrates such as birds and mammals. Mammalian offspring derive their nourishment from their mothers. Hence, post-natal care is more typical with mammals. However, there is still little understanding of the evolutionary history of this behavior.

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In an archaeological breakthrough, paleontologist Professor Hillary Maddin and her colleagues at the Carleton University and Fundy Treasures in Ottawa have discovered the Carboniferous-period fossils remains of a 300-million-year-old lizard exhibiting the earliest example of parental care. The fossilized remains unearthed in Nova Scotia in Canada show an adult ancient creature being termed as Aranopid synapsid and a juvenile tucked-up behind its mothers hind limbs, snugly encircled by her tail.

The specimen not only represents a species but also, belongs to an entirely new genus of varanopid synapsid. Researchers named the ancient lizard Dendromaia unamakiensis after the Greek word for tree and caring mother as the fossils were found inside a lithified tree stump. The now-extinct species closely resembles that of the Monitor Lizard with long jaws, very sharp teeth, long tails, narrow bodies and thin legs. Such physiology allowed them to be extremely agile as they scurried about the undergrowth feasting on insects and other small animals.

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Reportedly, the specific synapsid lineage of Dendromaia unamakiensis evolved into mammals. Professor Maddin asserted, "This is the earliest evidence of prolonged postnatal care in a vertebrate. The adult animal appears to be concealing and protecting a juvenile in a den. This behavior is very common in mammals today. It is interesting to see this animal, which is on the evolutionary line leading to mammals, exhibiting this behavior so early."

The former earliest example was of a 270-million-year-old fossil of the synapsid Heleosaurus scholtzi, which was found in South Africa. Dendromaia, beats the record by nearly 40 million years. The discovery is reported in a paper in the journal Nature Ecology & Evolution.

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Original post:
This Is The Earliest Example Of Love In The Animal Kingdom! - Mashable India