New species of tiny Cretraceous mammal discovered by University of Portsmouth student

• It marks the first multituberculate jaw found at Swanage since Victorian times

• Third new species discovered in Dorset by University of Portsmouth undergraduate students in under a decade

• Portsmouth team carried out “digital dental surgery” using CT scanning to isolate individual teeth for detailed study

A University of Portsmouth student has discovered a new species of prehistoric mammal dating back 145 million years to the Berriasian age, providing fresh insights into the diversity of early mammals that lived alongside dinosaurs.

Benjamin Weston, 22, an undergraduate palaeontology student, made the remarkable discovery while conducting fieldwork in the cliffs of Durlston Bay near Swanage, Dorset. The fossilised lower jaw he found represents a completely new species of multituberculate - an extinct group of early mammals known for the distinctive tubercles on their posterior teeth.

The 16.5mm-long jaw is characterised by a long pointed incisor at the front, followed by a gap and then four razor-sharp premolars. While superficially resembling a rabbit's jaw, the pointed incisors and distinctive premolars identify it as belonging to the multituberculate group.

This discovery, published in Proceedings of the Geologists' Association, marks the first multituberculate jaw found at Swanage since Victorian times, and its unique size and shape confirmed it as an entirely new species.

“I instantly had my suspicions of what the jaw was when I found it at the beach, but couldn’t have imagined where the discovery would take me,” said Ben Weston. “I’m extremely grateful to the team and to the university for helping me take my first steps into academic palaeontology.”

Dr Roy Smith and Emeritus Professor David Martill, who supervised the research, enlisted the expertise of Dr Steve Sweetman, a former Portsmouth student and now honorary research fellow, who specialises in rare Early Cretaceous mammal fossils from the Isle of Wight and Isle of Purbeck regions. 

This was not the first time a student made a once-in-a-lifetime discovery in Dorset. In 2017, undergraduate Grant Smith recovered fossilis of two new species of Humankind's earliest ancestors from rocks exposed in cliffs near Swanage.

Dr Sweetman said: “This is a remarkable find that reminds me of when Grant found those extraordinary eutherian mammal teeth. When I first saw Grant's specimens, my jaw dropped - and I had exactly the same reaction to Ben's multituberculate jaw. It's incredible that Durlston Bay keeps delivering such significant mammal discoveries by our undergraduate students.”

Advanced technology reveals hidden details

The delicate fossil presented challenges, with pieces of rock obscuring vital details. The University's advanced CT scanning capabilities proved crucial to the research. Dr Charles Wood, Senior Scientific Officer in the School of Electrical and Mechanical Engineering, used CT scanning to reveal the specimen inside the rock, producing remarkable results due to the contrast between fossil and rock.

The team then collaborated with Jake Keane, a former Portsmouth palaeontology student now working in Abu Dhabi (UAE), who processed the CT scans digitally. Within hours, Keane had digitally removed all surrounding rock and performed “digital dental surgery” to isolate individual teeth for detailed study.

Using these digital files, Lead Technician John Fearnly at the University's 3D printing lab in the Faculty of Technology created replicas magnified ten times, allowing safe study of the precious fossil without risk of damage.

Introducing Novaculadon mirabilis

The new species has been named Novaculadon mirabilis, with “novacula” describing its razor-like back teeth and “mirabilis” referring to the miraculous preservation of the specimen.

Portsmouth palaeontology student Hamzah Imran created an artistic reconstruction showing the animal as a small, furry creature with speculative spots and stripes.

The fossil evidence suggests Novaculadon mirabilis was omnivorous, likely feeding on small invertebrates such as worms and insects. The sharp-pointed incisors and ridged, blade-like premolars indicate a feeding strategy distinct from modern rodents like squirrels and rats.

Emeritus Professor Martill reflected on the collaborative nature of the research: “Looking back now that the discovery has been published, I am amazed at how many people it took to describe this little mammal. I especially appreciated that all team members were University staff or present and former students - a true team effort including academics, technicians, alumni, and students with diverse talents across three departments.”

The research demonstrates how early mammals carved out ecological niches while dinosaurs dominated the landscape. Although multituberculates survived the extinction event that killed the dinosaurs, they eventually became extinct around 33 million years ago during the Oligocene period.

Multituberculata represents the most diverse order of Mesozoic mammals, with over 200 known species ranging from mouse-sized to beaver-sized. These mammals occupied various ecological niches over their 130-million-year evolutionary history, from burrow-dwelling to squirrel-like tree climbers.

The discovery adds to Portsmouth's growing reputation in palaeontological research and demonstrates the value of undergraduate fieldwork in advancing scientific knowledge.

The University of Portsmouth’s BSc (Hons) Palaeontology degree offers a uniquely hands-on learning experience, thanks to its location near the Isle of Wight - nicknamed “Dinosaur Island” for its rich fossil heritage. Students benefit from frequent field trips to world-famous fossil sites like the Isle of Wight and the Jurassic Coast, gaining real-world experience that complements classroom learning. 

Accredited by The Geological Society of London, the course combines cutting-edge facilities, expert teaching, and a flexible “Connected Degree” structure that allows for paid placements or self-employment years, preparing graduates for careers in science, consultancy, or museum work.