Latest news with #BrianPickles
Yahoo
24-07-2025
- Science
- Yahoo
Different dinosaur species may have really traveled together like in the movies
Across the African savanna, zebras and wildebeests travel together in massive herds often peppered with impalas and gazelles. The larger the herd, the safer its members are from predators like lions, hyenas and African wild dogs. Scientists have wondered whether dinosaurs similarly engaged in mixed-species herding behavior. Children's movies like 'The Land Before Time' series and 'Dinosaur' (2000) often depict motley crews of dinosaurs migrating together, like apatosaurs and triceratops or iguanodons and parasaurolophus (despite often living in different time periods). But evidence that different dinosaur species actually travelled with each other was lacking in the fossil record. (The Real Wisdom of the Crowds) Now, paleontologists working in the badlands of Dinosaur Provincial Park in Alberta, Canada, have uncovered fossilized footprints they say provide the first evidence of different species of dinosaurs herding together—though not everyone is convinced. The finding was published Wednesday in PLOS One. The 76-million-year-old footprints tell the story of a small group of horned dinosaurs, called ceratopsians, that may have formed a Lord of the Rings-esque traveling party with an armored ankylosaurid and, perhaps, a small two-legged theropod. And like Tolkien's famous fellowship, this band of travelers may have been stalked by fearsome foes: a pair of large carnivorous tyrannosaurs. Following Footsteps In the summer of 2024, Brian Pickles, a paleontologist at the University of Reading in England and his colleague Phil Bell were searching for fossils in the park when they came across something strange sticking out of the ground. 'We'd gone out prospecting for bones and weren't having much luck,' says Pickles. But then Bell, a paleontologist from the University of New England in Australia, came across a raised rim of iron stone. 'He started poking around and realized that it was a dinosaur footprint.' The 48 hours that followed the find were a whirlwind of frantic excavation and profound discoveries that culminated in what he calls 'a revolution in dinosaur paleoecology at Dinosaur Provincial Park.' In a patch of land roughly the size of two parking spaces, the team was able to excavate over a dozen fossilized footprints. Unlike other dinosaur track sites where footprints often overlap, these tracks were evenly spaced and showed no signs of crowding. Based on their size, shape, and direction, the researchers concluded they were likely made by a mixed-species group of at least five dinosaurs walking together. The team also found the fossilized footprints of two large tyrannosaurs that may have been walking side-by-side near the herd. Were these apex predators working together to hunt? And was the herd formed as a way to defend against such predation? In the grasslands of Africa, lions will often follow mixed species herds of herbivores and work together to hunt them. Could these footprints have captured a similar situation unfolding? 'It's quite evocative to think of this situation as being similar to what we see on the African plains today,' says Pickles. 'We don't know the specific timing. The tyrannosaurs could have been there first.' 'Weak feet?' Some researchers not involved in the work questioned the team's conclusions. Anthony Romilio, a paleontologist at the University of Queensland in Australia, says that although some dinosaurs likely did form mixed-species herds, he disagrees with how the authors interpreted the footprints. 'As researchers, we're naturally drawn to the possibilities these fossils offer—but that excitement can sometimes lead to interpretive overreach,' Romilio says. In his view, the ceratopsian and ankylosaurid tracks look similar in shape, and he thinks they are more likely to be poorly preserved footprints of large-bodied hadrosaurs. 'That interpretation may not be as headline-grabbing, but it aligns better with what we know from both fossil footprints and trackways,' he says. Christian Meyer, a paleontologist from the University of Basel in Switzerland, is also skeptical, and calls the findings "speculative." "I find that the preservation of the tracks, including their taxonomic assignment, is on weak feet, as there are no complete trackways preserved that show also the walking pattern," he says. "Moreover, the interpretation of mixed herding is—given the facts—in my view a bit overstretched." Since the excavation that sparked this new study, Pickles and his colleagues say they have found over ten additional dinosaur trackways. With this many trackways, Pickles says, figuring out whether some dinosaurs formed mixed-species herds is just the beginning. 'There's potentially a lot more going on there than we've been able to expose so far,' he says. Solve the daily Crossword
National Geographic
23-07-2025
- Science
- National Geographic
Different dinosaur species may have really traveled together like in the movies
A newly discovered trove of fossilized footprints provides what may be the first evidence of prehistoric diversity in dinosaur herds, though not everyone is convinced. A herd of ceratopsians (Styracosaurus albertensis) accompanied by an ankylosaur (Euplocephalus tutus) walk through an old river channel under the watchful eyes of two tyrannosaurs (Gorgosaurus libratus). Illustration by Julius Csotonyi Across the African savanna, zebras and wildebeests travel together in massive herds often peppered with impalas and gazelles. The larger the herd, the safer its members are from predators like lions, hyenas and African wild dogs. Scientists have wondered whether dinosaurs similarly engaged in mixed-species herding behavior. Children's movies like ' The Land Before Time ' series and ' Dinosaur ' (2000) often depict motley crews of dinosaurs migrating together, like apatosaurs and triceratops or iguanodons and parasaurolophus (despite often living in different time periods). But evidence that different dinosaur species actually travelled with each other was lacking in the fossil record. Now, paleontologists working in the badlands of Dinosaur Provincial Park in Alberta, Canada, have uncovered fossilized footprints they say provide the first evidence of different species of dinosaurs herding together—though not everyone is convinced. The finding was published Wednesday in PLOS One . The 76-million-year-old footprints tell the story of a small group of horned dinosaurs, called ceratopsians, that may have formed a Lord of the Rings-esque traveling party with an armored ankylosaurid and, perhaps, a small two-legged theropod. And like Tolkien's famous fellowship, this band of travelers may have been stalked by fearsome foes: a pair of large carnivorous tyrannosaurs. RTMP technician working on Skyline tracksite Photograph by Dr Brian Pickles, University of Reading In the summer of 2024, Brian Pickles , a paleontologist at the University of Reading in England and his colleague Phil Bell were searching for fossils in the park when they came across something strange sticking out of the ground. 'We'd gone out prospecting for bones and weren't having much luck,' says Pickles. But then Bell, a paleontologist from the University of New England in Australia, came across a raised rim of iron stone. 'He started poking around and realized that it was a dinosaur footprint.' The 48 hours that followed the find were a whirlwind of frantic excavation and profound discoveries that culminated in what he calls 'a revolution in dinosaur paleoecology at Dinosaur Provincial Park.' In a patch of land roughly the size of two parking spaces, the team was able to excavate over a dozen fossilized footprints. Unlike other dinosaur track sites where footprints often overlap, these tracks were evenly spaced and showed no signs of crowding. Based on their size, shape, and direction, the researchers concluded they were likely made by a mixed-species group of at least five dinosaurs walking together. The team also found the fossilized footprints of two large tyrannosaurs that may have been walking side-by-side near the herd. Digital Elevation Model of Skyline tracksite (elevation scale in m) and key tracks (scaled to relative elevation) Illustration by Dr Brian Pickles, University of Reading Were these apex predators working together to hunt? And was the herd formed as a way to defend against such predation? In the grasslands of Africa, lions will often follow mixed species herds of herbivores and work together to hunt them. Could these footprints have captured a similar situation unfolding? 'It's quite evocative to think of this situation as being similar to what we see on the African plains today,' says Pickles. 'We don't know the specific timing. The tyrannosaurs could have been there first.' 'Weak feet?' Some researchers not involved in the work questioned the team's conclusions. Anthony Romilio , a paleontologist at the University of Queensland in Australia, says that although some dinosaurs likely did form mixed-species herds, he disagrees with how the authors interpreted the footprints. 'As researchers, we're naturally drawn to the possibilities these fossils offer—but that excitement can sometimes lead to interpretive overreach,' Romilio says. In his view, the ceratopsian and ankylosaurid tracks look similar in shape, and he thinks they are more likely to be poorly preserved footprints of large-bodied hadrosaurs. 'That interpretation may not be as headline-grabbing, but it aligns better with what we know from both fossil footprints and trackways,' he says. Christian Meyer, a paleontologist from the University of Basel in Switzerland, is also skeptical, and calls the findings "speculative." "I find that the preservation of the tracks, including their taxonomic assignment, is on weak feet, as there are no complete trackways preserved that show also the walking pattern," he says. "Moreover, the interpretation of mixed herding is—given the facts—in my view a bit overstretched." Since the excavation that sparked this new study, Pickles and his colleagues say they have found over ten additional dinosaur trackways. With this many trackways, Pickles says, figuring out whether some dinosaurs formed mixed-species herds is just the beginning. 'There's potentially a lot more going on there than we've been able to expose so far,' he says.
Time of India
14-06-2025
- Science
- Time of India
76-million-year-old mystery: Crocodile-like predator left its mark on this fossil
A fossil unearthed in the badlands of Alberta, Canada, has offered a rare glimpse into the interactions between ancient reptiles that lived over 76 million years ago. Researchers studying the remains of a young flying reptile have found what appears to be clear evidence of a crocodile-like predator bite, making it an unusual and scientifically valuable discovery from the Late Cretaceous period. Bone with a bite: Pterosaur fossil found with tooth mark The fossil, a small neck bone of a juvenile pterosaur, was discovered in July 2023 during a field course led by Dr Brian Pickles from the University of Reading. After a detailed analysis, scientists identified a puncture wound on the bone, which they believe was caused by the tooth of a crocodilian species from the same era. The research was conducted jointly by scientists from the University of Reading, the Royal Tyrrell Museum of Palaeontology (Canada), and the University of New England (Australia). According to the team, micro-CT scans confirmed the mark was not the result of post-burial damage or fossilisation but a bite that likely occurred during the animal's lifetime or shortly after its death. Fragile fossil, uncommon evidence Pterosaur bones, due to their lightweight and hollow structure, rarely preserve well. This makes any fossilised sign of damage or interaction with other animals a rare find. As quoted by the BBC, according to Dr Caleb Brown from the Royal Tyrrell Museum of Palaeontology, 'Pterosaur bones are very delicate, so finding fossils where another animal has clearly taken a bite is exceptionally uncommon.' by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like 5 motivi per rottamare ora la caldaia per una pompa di calore Aira Scopri di più Undo Dr Brown, who is the lead author of the research paper, further said, 'This specimen being a juvenile makes it even rarer.' The juvenile is believed to have belonged to the Azhdarchid group of pterosaurs. Researchers estimate this individual had a wingspan of about 2 metres. In contrast, adults of the same group were significantly larger, reaching wingspans of up to 10 metres. Insight into Cretaceous ecosystems Dr Brian Pickles, under whose supervision the discovery was made, highlighted the importance of such findings. 'Bite traces help to document species interactions from this period,' he said, as quoted by the BBC. He also explained that while it remains uncertain whether the young pterosaur was alive at the time of the bite, the fossil does indicate interaction between crocodilians and pterosaurs. 'We can't say if the pterosaur was alive or dead when it was bitten, but the specimen shows that crocodilians occasionally preyed on, or scavenged, juvenile pterosaurs in prehistoric Alberta over 70 million years ago,' Dr Pickles said, as quoted by the BBC. First of its kind in the North American fossil record This discovery is being noted as the first confirmed instance in North America of a crocodile-like predator feeding on a pterosaur. The scientific community regards it as a rare and significant addition to existing knowledge of Mesozoic-era life. The fossil provides a rare and direct record of how prehistoric creatures interacted within their ecosystems, especially involving species that rarely leave behind such detailed evidence. The study was published in the Journal of Palaeontology and adds a meaningful layer to our understanding of predator-prey dynamics in the Late Cretaceous period. Image credit: Created by Canva AI. For representational purposes only.
Time of India
14-06-2025
- Science
- Time of India
76-million-year-old fossil shows rare crocodile-like bite on flying reptile
A fossil unearthed in the badlands of Alberta, Canada, has offered a rare glimpse into the interactions between ancient reptiles that lived over 76 million years ago. Researchers studying the remains of a young flying reptile have found what appears to be clear evidence of a crocodile-like predator bite, making it an unusual and scientifically valuable discovery from the Late Cretaceous period. Bone with a bite: Pterosaur fossil found with tooth mark The fossil, a small neck bone of a juvenile pterosaur, was discovered in July 2023 during a field course led by Dr Brian Pickles from the University of Reading. After a detailed analysis, scientists identified a puncture wound on the bone, which they believe was caused by the tooth of a crocodilian species from the same era. The research was conducted jointly by scientists from the University of Reading, the Royal Tyrrell Museum of Palaeontology (Canada), and the University of New England (Australia). According to the team, micro-CT scans confirmed the mark was not the result of post-burial damage or fossilisation but a bite that likely occurred during the animal's lifetime or shortly after its death. Fragile fossil, uncommon evidence Pterosaur bones, due to their lightweight and hollow structure, rarely preserve well. This makes any fossilised sign of damage or interaction with other animals a rare find. As quoted by the BBC, according to Dr Caleb Brown from the Royal Tyrrell Museum of Palaeontology, 'Pterosaur bones are very delicate, so finding fossils where another animal has clearly taken a bite is exceptionally uncommon.' by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Buy Brass Idols - Handmade Brass Statues for Home & Gifting Luxeartisanship Buy Now Undo Dr Brown, who is the lead author of the research paper, further said, 'This specimen being a juvenile makes it even rarer.' The juvenile is believed to have belonged to the Azhdarchid group of pterosaurs. Researchers estimate this individual had a wingspan of about 2 metres. In contrast, adults of the same group were significantly larger, reaching wingspans of up to 10 metres. Insight into Cretaceous ecosystems Dr Brian Pickles, under whose supervision the discovery was made, highlighted the importance of such findings. 'Bite traces help to document species interactions from this period,' he said, as quoted by the BBC. He also explained that while it remains uncertain whether the young pterosaur was alive at the time of the bite, the fossil does indicate interaction between crocodilians and pterosaurs. 'We can't say if the pterosaur was alive or dead when it was bitten, but the specimen shows that crocodilians occasionally preyed on, or scavenged, juvenile pterosaurs in prehistoric Alberta over 70 million years ago,' Dr Pickles said, as quoted by the BBC. First of its kind in the North American fossil record This discovery is being noted as the first confirmed instance in North America of a crocodile-like predator feeding on a pterosaur. The scientific community regards it as a rare and significant addition to existing knowledge of Mesozoic-era life. The fossil provides a rare and direct record of how prehistoric creatures interacted within their ecosystems, especially involving species that rarely leave behind such detailed evidence. The study was published in the Journal of Palaeontology and adds a meaningful layer to our understanding of predator-prey dynamics in the Late Cretaceous period. Image credit: Created by Canva AI. For representational purposes only.
Yahoo
26-01-2025
- Science
- Yahoo
Rare fossil of flying dinosaur reveals 76-million-year-old crocodile-like bite
A crocodile-like creature bit the neck of a flying dinosaur some 76 million years ago – and scientists have proof. Archaeologists found the fossilized neck bone of the young pterosaur in Canada's Dinosaur Provincial Park. 'Bite traces help to document species interactions from this period,' Dr Brian Pickles, from England's University of Reading, said in a statement. 'We can't say if the pterosaur was alive or dead when it was bitten but the specimen shows that crocodilians occasionally preyed on, or scavenged, juvenile pterosaurs in prehistoric Alberta over 70 million years ago.' Pickles is a co-author of a paper announcing the finding that was published Wednesday in the Journal of Palaeontology. The discovery was made during an international field course led by Pickles in July 2023. The Alberta state park has produced some of the most important dinosaur fossil discoveries ever made, including 35 species dating back some 75 million years. The vertebra has a circular, four-millimeter-wide puncture mark from a crocodilian tooth. Researchers say the finding provides insight into the dynamics between predators and their prey in the region during the Cretaceous Period. They took micro-CT scans, which are often used to diagnose disease or injury, and comparisons with other pterosaur bones to confirm the puncture was the result of a bite and not just damage during its fossilization. The fossil belongs to a young Azhdarchid pterosaur, also known as Cryodrakon boreas, with an estimated wingspan of 6.5 feet, according to the University of Reading. Adults of this species would have been as tall as a giraffe, boasting a wingspan of up to 32 feet. The paper also says this bone is the first evidence in North America of ancient crocodilians opportunistically feeding on these giant prehistoric flying reptiles. Other examples of Azhdarchid bones with possible crocodilian bites have previously been found in Romania. 'Pterosaur bones are very delicate – so finding fossils where another animal has clearly taken a bite is exceptionally uncommon. This specimen being a juvenile makes it even more rare,' the paper's lead author Dr. Caleb Brown, of the Royal Tyrrell Museum of Palaeontology, said.
