Jumbo-sized ticks Jurassic Period

A lice that live in an age when giant animals lived on Earth's surface it also has jumbo size, which is approximately 20.6 millimeters (2.01 inches).

The jumbo-sized fossilized flea found in two archaeological sites in China. One group of ticks found in Ningcheng Country, in Inner Mongolia and from the period 165 million years ago (mid-Jurassic), whereas others found in Liaoning province dating back to Early Cretaceous.

Jumbo female louse has the largest size, that is 20.6 millimeters in 92.01 centimeters) and the males grow to a size of 14.7 millimeters (1.4 inches). Insects were also equipped with a large suction mouth, which according to scientists, useful help prick the skin is protected scales.

In addition to the larger size of modern times ketimmbang fleas, ticks ancient also not equipped with rear legs that serve to jump. The most unique part of the ancient lice are blood-sucking mouth are so long and sturdy.

"Mammals start a small animal, it seems wrong to match the size and robustness of the mouth of these Mesozoic species," said Andre Nel of the Museum of Natural History in Paris.

"It might be just a host for ticks is ancient winged dinosaurs from this period," he added.