Characteristics for Land and Water in Fossil Mammal

The terrestrial and semi-aquatic characteristics of Puijila darwini are highlighted in this 3D animation. Along with other indicators, they suggest that this prehistoric mammal represents an intermediate form in the transition from land carnivores to today’s sea-going seals and their relatives. Puijila represents a new branch on a family tree, between an ancestor that walked on land and today’s flippered, marine pinnipeds.