First evidence of egg from mammal ancestor found

Reconstruction of Lystrosaurus. Image from Julien Benoit and Sophie Vrard 

One of the greatest survival tales in Earth's history is being revealed by a stunning new finding that also provides an answer to a long-standing scientific mystery. The resilient, plant-eating mammal ancestor Lystrosaurus gained notoriety following the End-Permian Mass Extinction, which occurred about 252 million years ago and was the most catastrophic extinction event in the history of our planet.

The environment during that time was characterized by severe ecological instability, including thermal extremes and long-term droughts. Despite that, Lystrosaurus managed to survive and flourish while innumerable other species died.

 According to the research by PLOS ONE, an egg, dating back approximately 250 million years, had an embryo of Lystrosaurus. This amazing discovery proves that ancestors of mammals laid eggs.

 The study suggests that the eggs, led by Lystrosaurus, were quite large. Thanks to their size, the embryos were able to develop on their own, not requiring being fed by parents.

These young animals would have been able to quickly reach reproductive maturity, feed themselves, and protect themselves from any predators. To put it another way, Lystrosaurus flourished because of its rapid life cycle and early reproduction.

This finding matters significantly because researchers now have a better understanding of how the species adapted to extreme environmental stress. It improves the ability to forecast how contemporary animals might react to habitat disruption and climate change.