An ambolestes fossil discovered by a research team from Yunnan University [Photo/ynu.edu.cn]

A Yunnan University (YNU) paleontology research finding has been included on the list of China’s top 10 paleontology findings in 2018, according to information released by the Paleontological Society of China, on March 7.

The finding, researched by YNU’s Institute for Evolution of Vertebrates reported that the most well-preserved mammal fossil from the Early Cretaceous Epoch is the ambolestes, revealing that Asia may not be the center of origin of marsupials. 

Along with the YNU finding, a list of other research achievements made by universities and institutes such as the Chinese Academy of Sciences, China University of Geosciences and Peking University were also honored by the list, covering the fields of paleo-vertebrates, ancient humans, paleoecology and paloenvironment, early life and stratigraphy. 

The Institute for Evolution of Vertebrates at YNU was established in 2018, with the aim of becoming a base for research of vertebrates and the training of international-standard professionals.