University of Portsmouth Student Discovers New Species of Tiny Cretaceous Mammal

A palaeontology student from Portsmouth has uncovered a 145-million-year-old ancient mammal during fieldwork along the Dorset coast.

• This is the first multituberculate jaw to be discovered in Swanage since the Victorian era.

• It's the third new species uncovered in Dorset by undergraduate students from the University of Portsmouth in less than ten years.

• The research team at Portsmouth used CT scanning in a process dubbed “digital dental surgery” to separate and closely examine individual teeth.

  
  

  University of Portsmouth Student Unearths New 145-Million-Year-Old Mammal Species

  
  

  A University of Portsmouth undergraduate has uncovered a previously unknown species of prehistoric mammal dating back 145 million years to the Berriasian age, shedding new light on early mammal diversity during the time of the dinosaurs.

  
  

  Benjamin Weston, a palaeontology student, made the rare find while conducting fieldwork along the cliffs of Durlston Bay, near Swanage in Dorset. The fossil he discovered—a small lower jaw—belongs to a new species of multituberculate, an extinct group of mammals recognizable by the complex cusps, or tubercles, on their back teeth.

  
  
  
  

  The jaw, measuring just 16.5mm in length, features a prominent pointed incisor at the front, a noticeable gap, and four sharply edged premolars. Though it bears some resemblance to a rabbit’s jaw, the shape and structure of its teeth clearly identify it as a multituberculate.

  
  

  Published in the Proceedings of the Geologists’ Association, the find is especially notable as it marks the first multituberculate jaw discovered in Swanage since the Victorian era. Its distinctive form and size confirm it as a completely new species.

  
  

  “When I spotted the jaw on the beach, I had a strong feeling it was something significant, but I never imagined how far the discovery would take me,” said Weston. “I’m incredibly thankful to the university and the team for helping launch my journey into academic palaeontology.

  
  

  Experts and Technology Help Bring Student’s Fossil Discovery to Life

  
  

  Dr. Roy Smith and Emeritus Professor David Martill, who oversaw the research, brought in Dr. Steve Sweetman—an expert in rare Early Cretaceous mammal fossils from the Isle of Wight and Purbeck. A former University of Portsmouth student himself, Dr. Sweetman now serves as an honorary research fellow at the university.

  
  

  This isn’t the first time a student has made a groundbreaking discovery in Dorset. Back in 2017, undergraduate Grant Smith found fossils of two previously unknown species of early human ancestors in cliffs near Swanage.

  
  

  Reflecting on the recent find, Dr. Sweetman said, “Ben’s discovery reminded me of when Grant uncovered those remarkable eutherian mammal teeth. I was stunned then, and I had the same reaction to Ben’s multituberculate jaw. Durlston Bay continues to surprise us, especially with these kinds of discoveries coming from our undergraduate students.”

  
  

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  Technology Unveils What the Eye Can’t See

  
  

  The fossil was extremely fragile, with parts still encased in surrounding rock, making traditional study difficult. The university’s advanced CT scanning equipment played a key role in uncovering the hidden details. Dr. Charles Wood, Senior Scientific Officer in the School of Electrical and Mechanical Engineering, used CT imaging to visualize the fossil inside the rock. Thanks to the contrast between the rock and the fossil material, the scan produced exceptional results.

  
  

  Jake Keane, a Portsmouth palaeontology graduate now based in Abu Dhabi, took the digital scans and carefully removed the rock in a virtual environment—what the team called “digital dental surgery”—to isolate and study individual teeth in detail.

  Using these 3D scans, Lead Technician John Fearnly in the Faculty of Technology created enlarged 3D-printed models of the jaw at ten times its actual size. This allowed researchers to safely examine the fossil in detail without risking any damage to the original specimen.

  
  

  Meet Novaculadon mirabilis: A Tiny Mammal with Razor-Sharp Teeth

  
  

  The newly discovered species has been officially named Novaculadon mirabilis—with “novacula” referring to its razor-like back teeth, and “mirabilis” highlighting the remarkable state of preservation in which the fossil was found.

  
  

  To bring the ancient creature to life, Portsmouth palaeontology student Hamzah Imran created an artistic reconstruction, depicting it as a small, furry mammal possibly patterned with spots and stripes—an imaginative interpretation based on fossil evidence.

  
  

  Analysis suggests that Novaculadon mirabilis was likely an omnivore, feeding on small invertebrates like insects and worms. Its pointed incisors and blade-like premolars hint at a diet and feeding strategy quite different from that of today’s rodents, such as squirrels or rats.

  
  

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  Reflecting on the project, Emeritus Professor David Martill praised the collaborative spirit behind the research: “Now that the paper has been published, I’m struck by just how many people it took to fully understand this tiny mammal. What made it even more special is that everyone involved—academics, technicians, alumni, and students—was connected to the University of Portsmouth. It was a true team effort that spanned three departments and a wide range of expertise.”

  
  

  The study highlights how early mammals managed to find unique ecological roles during a time when dinosaurs ruled the Earth. Although multituberculates like Novaculadon mirabilis survived the mass extinction that ended the dinosaur era, the group eventually disappeared around 33 million years ago during the Oligocene.

  
  

  Multituberculates were the most diverse group of mammals during the Mesozoic era, with more than 200 known species. They ranged in size from tiny, mouse-like creatures to beaver-sized animals and adapted to a variety of environments, from underground burrows to tree canopies.

  
  

  This discovery further cements the University of Portsmouth’s reputation in palaeontological research and underscores the importance of hands-on undergraduate fieldwork in making meaningful scientific contributions.

  
  

  Hands-On Learning at the University of Portsmouth’s BSc (Hons) Palaeontology Program

  
  

  The University of Portsmouth’s BSc (Hons) Palaeontology degree stands out for its immersive, hands-on approach—thanks in large part to its proximity to the Isle of Wight, famously known as “Dinosaur Island” for its abundant fossil discoveries. Students regularly take part in field trips to renowned fossil-rich locations, including the Isle of Wight and the Jurassic Coast, gaining invaluable practical experience alongside their academic studies.

  
  

  Accredited by The Geological Society of London, the program blends state-of-the-art facilities with expert instruction. Its flexible “Connected Degree” structure also gives students the option to include a paid placement year or explore self-employment, helping prepare them for diverse career paths in scientific research, environmental consultancy, or museum and heritage work.