NPR has a story about a new Jurassic mammal from China. The animal, Megacauda sungei , was described recently in the journal Nature. The fossil remains are incredibly detailed and show an animal capable of chewing and swallowing its food and suckling, traits shared by all mammals.

The fossil was about the size of a chihuahua, but somewhat hard to discern from the rock surrounding it.

“The fossil itself is actually very dark,” explains Luo. “The bones are black, the slab [is] dark. And it’s kind of difficult to have beautiful photographs.”

One of his collaborators, Chang-Fu Zhou of Shandong University of Science and Technology, snapped a different kind of vivid image using a technique called X-ray fluorescence spectroscopy. “It would make this bone pop out in different colors,” says Luo.

The resulting image rendered the skeleton a bright yellow and it showcased a curious combination of characteristics. The back end, which includes the pelvis, hind limbs, and tail, resembles a modern-day platypus.