The 46 million years old mosquito fossil which completed with blood in its abdomen found by a team of scientists from the Smithsonian's National History Museum, United States.
As reported by Daily Mail on October 17, 2013, the scientists used a new technique to prove whether mosquitoes suck blood for food since ancient times, and what animals are preyed upon by mosquitoes if not human.
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| In Montana, researchers have discovered USNM 559050, a fossilized mosquito containing what is indisputably a blood meal in its swollen belly. (Picture from: http://www.sanfranciscosentinel.com/) |
Mosquito fossils have been found in the mountains of Montana, USA, when the researchers are digging the ground. Mosquito fossils was accidentally discovered encased in stone chips well in mud, and making the fossils well maintained.
"These findings suggest that the blood sucking mosquitoes has been for millions of years ago. That was evidenced by the presence of blood in the mosquito abdomen is still well maintained," said Dr. Dale Greenwalt, a Paleobiologist of the Smithsonian Museum of National History.
He explains, these findings also have extended the fossil record that still keep the blood in the family of insects that live 46 million years ago. "Currently, we do not know who the mosquito's prey. Scientist are examining further iron is in the mosquito fossil's abdomen. Mosquitoes We are very curious creatures that suck the blood of anything," said Greenwalt.
The findings were again proved that organic molecules can be preserved in tens of million years. These findings have been published in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences journal. *** [EKA | FROM VARIOUS SOURCES | DAILYMAIL | LIVESCIENCE]
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