News From the Field
Placental Mammal Diversity Exploded After Age of Dinosaurs

February 7, 2013

Researchers have reconstructed the common ancestor of placental mammals--a diverse group including animals ranging from rodents to whales to humans--using the world's largest dataset of both genetic and physical traits. In research published in the journal Science, the scientists reveal that, contradictory to a commonly held theory, placental mammals did not diversify into their present-day lineages until after the extinction event that eliminated non-avian dinosaurs. Full Story

Source
American Museum of Natural History

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The National Science Foundation (NSF) is an independent federal agency that supports fundamental research and education across all fields of science and engineering. In fiscal year (FY) 2012, its budget is $7.0 billion. NSF funds reach all 50 states through grants to nearly 2,000 colleges, universities and other institutions. Each year, NSF receives over 50,000 competitive requests for funding, and makes about 11,000 new funding awards. NSF also awards nearly $420 million in professional and service contracts yearly.

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