New evidence connects dung beetle evolution to dinosaurs

New evidence connects dung beetle evolution to dinosaurs Cleveland OH (SPX) May 09, 2016 - Researchers have found an evolutionary connection between dinosaurs and dung beetles. An international team of scientists uncovered the first molecular evidence indicating that dung beetles evolved in association with dinosaurs. The findings place the origin of dung beetles (Scarabaeidae: Scarabaeinae) in the Lower Cretaceous period, with the first major diversification occurring in the middle o ... more

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