Cat-sized dormice lived on the Sicily islands two million years ago

20 Jul 2020

Cat-sized dormice lived on the Sicily islands two million years ago

Cat-sized dormice lived on the Sicily islands two million years agoThe dormouse is a tiny animal related to the mouse. It is found in the wild in countries in Europe, Asia and Africa. The largest type of dormice today can weigh up to 180 gm and is about 19 cm long.

Recently, scientists have found that a huge type of dormouse used to live in the islands of Malta and Sicily around two million years ago. These islands are located near Italy in Europe.

It was called Leithia melitensis and was roughly the size of a cat!

In the new study, scientists used computer software to piece together fragments from five fossil skulls of Leithia melitensis to create one skull.

This reconstructed skull is about 10 cm (3.9 inches) long. This is the length of the entire body and tail of many types of dormice that live today.

How did this animal get so large?

This gigantic ancient dormouse is an example of island gigantism.

Island gigantism is a biological phenomenon. In this, animals on an isolated island grow much larger in comparison to their relatives elsewhere.

Scientists believe that due to the isolation, animals on these islands face less danger from larger animals. This allows them to evolve to 'gigantic' sizes.

The fossa of Madagascar is another example of island gigantism. It is much larger than its relative, the mongoose.

The opposite of island gigantism is island dwarfism. This is where animals on isolated islands are smaller than relatives elsewhere.

Here is a video of some adorable dormice:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VsTUmEJ6PDw

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