125-Million-Year-Old Prehistoric Mammal Suffered From A Hair Disease.

The world's oldest mammalian fossil, a 125-million-year-old hedgehog fossil which was recently discovered, may have had a skin disease at the time of its death, according to an international team of researchers.

The researchers found that the well preserved mouse- to rat-sized mammal may have suffered from a fungal infection of the hair which is common among modern day mammals, according to a news release.

The Cretaceous mammal, known as Spinolestes, had hairs on its back which were fused into small spines. The hairs were similar to a modern hedgehog's, but smaller. For the first time, paleontologists were able to identify spines in a fossil from the Mesozoic era. The skin on the creature's back was covered with small horny scutes, according to the researchers.

"We are familiar with these characteristics in modern spiny mice from Africa and Asia Minor," said Dr. Thomas Martin from the Steinmann Institute of Geology, Mineralogy and Paleontology of the University of Bonn. "If a predator grabs them by the back, the spines detach from the skin. The mouse can escape and the attacker is left with nothing more than a mouthful of spines."

The researchers claimed that the animal displays similar features to many modern mammals, however, they are not signs of relatedness. They developed independently throughout the course of evolution.   

The Spinolestes was found at the Las Hoyas fossil site in Spain, which is a popular site for its well-preserved bird and reptile fossils. The creature's fossilized fur was in excellent condition. When the hairs were examined, the researchers found changes which suggested that the Spinolestes' had a fungal disease in its fur. The researchers concluded that prehistoric animals suffered from the same diseases as their modern ancestors.

"One hundred twenty-five million years ago, Spinolestes was very well adapted to its ecological niche, through horny scutes and spines on its back as well as through its reinforced spine. We have to revise our thinking," Martin said. 

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