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News Release 16-150
Scientists discover fossil tumor in 255 million-year-old mammal forerunner
Ancient tumor was hidden inside fossil from Tanzania
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A thin-section image zooms in on the fossil odontomas. Each looks like a miniature tooth.
Credit: Megan Whitney
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Discovery of oldest known fossil tumor
Credit: CCA-SA 3.0, Nobu Tamura
A gorgonopsian lower jaw. This specimen is representative of gorgonopsian fossils in general.
Credit: Christian Sidor
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A CT scan of the front half of a gorgonopsid lower jaw. Bone is in blue, teeth are in red.
Credit: Megan Whitney
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Thin-section of the gorgonopsian jaw. The small circles form a compound odontoma.
Credit: Megan Whitney
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Thin-section of the gorgonopsian jaw, from halfway along the length of the canine root.
Credit: Megan Whitney
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The odontomas have eaten away at the root of the canine, a key characteristic of odontomas.
Credit: Megan Whitney
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