Fossil hunters Robert Sinibaldi and Joseph Branin discovered 552 exceptionally preserved animal fossils while diving in the Steinhatchee River.
We knew we had an important site, but we didnt know how important, Sinibaldi added.
Back then, the Steinhatchee River likely wasnt where it is today.
Some of the Holmesina fossils recently recovered from the Steinhatchee River.© Florida Museum photo by Kristen Grace
In fact, its only the second known middle Irvingtonian site in Florida.
This gave us more clues into the fact that the anatomy kind of trailed behind the size increase.
So, they got bigger before the shape of their bones changed, Narducci explained.
The fossilized lower jaw bone of a tapir. © Florida Museum photo by Kristen Grace
An overwhelming majority of the fossils are of caballines, an early group of both domesticated and wild horses.
The wear on well-preserved teeth could also provide clues on what kinds of plants these early horses were eating.
We need more of the skeleton to firmly figure out whats going on with this tapir.
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