中英對照讀新聞》Scientists reveal origin of mammal evolution milestone: warm-bloodedness科學家揭開哺乳類進化里程碑的起源：恆溫性

一位藝術家重建哺乳形態類卡岩塔獸屬的圖片。（路透）

◎林雨萱

Scientists have answered a longstanding question about mammalian evolution, examining ear anatomy of living and extinct mammals and their close relatives to determine when warm-bloodedness - a trait integral to the lineage’s success - first emerged.

科學家已經為有關哺乳類進化的長期問題提供解答。他們檢查現存和絕跡的哺乳類以及他們的近親的耳朵解剖構造，以確定恆溫性，即該族譜演化成功的必備特質，何時首度出現。

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These first creatures that attained this milestone, called mammaliamorph synapsids, are not formally classified as mammals.

首次達到這項里程碑的物種名為哺乳類突觸，牠們並未被正式列為哺乳類。

But they had begun to acquire traits associated with mammals. The high metabolisms of mammal bodies maintain internal temperature independent of their surroundings.

但是他們已經開始具備哺乳類動物相關特徵。哺乳類體內的高代謝機制，讓牠們能維持體內恆溫，不受周遭環境影響。

新聞辭典

relatives：名詞，親戚。例句：The child is raised by a relative. （這個孩子由一位親戚撫養。）

trait：名詞，特徵、性格特質。例句：Penny shares several character traits with her mother. （佩妮具有她母親的幾個特徵。）

lineage：名詞，血統。例句：James is a English nobleman of loyal lineage. （詹姆士是一位具有皇室血統的英國貴族。）

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