Eric the plesiosaur's last meal was analyzed with X-rays, and scientists found 17 vertebrae of an unidentified teleost fish, proving that plesiosaurs were certainly carnivores.
Paleontologists now have a better grasp of the nutrition of these prehistoric marine reptiles that lived between 208 and 66 million years ago thanks to a plesiosaur known as "Eric." By closely examining Eric's last meal with X-rays, scientists found 17 vertebrae of an unidentified teleost fish, proving that plesiosaurs were certainly carnivores.
“But this approach can be difficult and limiting as fossilised stomach contents are rare to find and there can more hidden beneath the surface that would be near impossible for palaeontologists to see without destroying the fossil. We believe our study is the first in Australia to use X-rays to study the gut contents of a prehistoric marine reptile," he added.
“We are also lucky in the sense that Eric is one of the most complete opalised vertebrae skeletons in Australia. The fossil is approximately 93 per cent complete which is pretty much unheard of in any fossil record. There is practically nowhere else other than Australia that can actually get opalised vertebrae fossils.”climate change
, the ANU scientists argue that learning more about the food of extinct organisms is a key step in comprehending their evolutionary past. Eric was found for the first time in 1987 in the opal mines of Coober Pedy, South Australia. The Australian Museum in Sydney has the extinct predator on display.The holotype of Umoonasaurus demoscyllus is one of the most complete plesiosaur skeletons ever discovered in Australia. It preserves a gastric mass in the pectoral girdle region that has not yet been documented in detail. Here, we use high resolution micro-computed tomography to image the gut contents of this specimen.
Österreich Neuesten Nachrichten, Österreich Schlagzeilen
Similar News:Sie können auch ähnliche Nachrichten wie diese lesen, die wir aus anderen Nachrichtenquellen gesammelt haben.
The Young and the Restless' Eric Braeden Reveals Cancer DiagnosisEric Braeden, who stars as Victor Newman on 'The Young and the Restless,' revealed that he was recently diagnosed with cancer, and is undergoing immunotherapy.
Weiterlesen »
'Barry' Season 4 Finds Its Funny Thanks to an SNLer and a Legendary DirectorThird episode of the HBO dramedy’s final season features a number of surprising cameos, fireworks, and finds the series back on solid comedy ground
Weiterlesen »
Eric Braeden, Victor Newman on 'Young and the Restless,' reveals cancer diagnosis | CNNEric Braeden, one of the most famous actors in daytime television, recently opened up about his health in a video on social media.
Weiterlesen »
Bella Ramsey Quits Twitter and Thanks 'Gay Army' For SupportThey bid farewell to the Bird App.
Weiterlesen »