At the September meeting Dr Sara Metcalf gave a very interesting talk on Mesozoic mammals and mammalian evolution. Originally the finding of fossils of Mesozoic mammals and their immediate ancestors was fragmentary but since the 1990's many new fossils have been found, especially in China. The well-preserved fossils and the combined discipline of molecular phylogenetics have greatly enhanced the knowledge about mammalian evolution.
Using anatomical diagrams, cladograms and even a short YouTube video, Dr Metaclf took us through the evidence for evolution and the “family tree” of modern day mammals.