Latest news with #RoyalTyrrellMuseumofPalaeontology
Time of India
6 hours ago
- 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
10 hours ago
- 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.
The Independent
26-01-2025
- Science
- The Independent
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.
