The new findings strengthen the case that spinosaurids, the group containing Spinosaurus and its kin, adapted to a life in the water—the only known dinosaurs other than birds to have done so
“The bones don’t lie,” says National Geographic Explorer Nizar Ibrahim, the study’s senior author and a paleontologist at the University of Portsmouth in the United Kingdom.swam and pursued its fishy prey remains an open question. The prehistoric predator, with its elongated body and gigantic back sail, continues to perplex scientists because it’s so unusual when compared to other aquatic creatures.
In other land animal groups that made the evolutionary transition to the water, such as whales, increased bone density was one of the first traits to appear, with the bones acting as energy-saving ballast.
Not every animal with dense bones lives an aquatic or even partially aquatic lifestyle. Elephants and extinct sauropod dinosaurs, for example, have dense limb bones to support their large weights. “While a penguin or a crocodile are capable of swimming and diving underwater, they are also able to walk on land,” Fabbri says.
Ireland Latest News, Ireland Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
Report: Former A’s All-Star Chapman signs new deal, but it’s nothing like Olson’s mega contractDespite a similar track record of success, Matt Chapman’s extension with the Toronto Blue Jays looks nothing like the mega-deal Olson secured in Atlanta.
Read more »
Bone-boosting lettuce could help Mars astronauts stay healthyIf humans are ever to journey to Mars they will need ways to keep their bones strong in space – lettuce genetically engineered to produce a hormone that boosts bone formation might help.
Read more »
The Bone Orchard: A Necromantic Political Fantasy That Could Use Some PruningSara A. Mueller's debut novel TheBoneOrchard is the story of a necromancer-turned-concubine that has (pardon the pun) great bones---but tries to do a little too much. nataliezutter reviews.
Read more »
Humans on Mars may feast on gene-edited salad to stop bones breakingGenetically modified salad could be crucial to keeping the bones of humans on Mars healthy.
Read more »
Porsche’s New Custom Division Took a Beat-Up Old 996-Generation 911 and Turned It Into a Dream CarThe gorgeous sports car was built on the bones of a beat-up 1998 911 Carrera.
Read more »
“Fashioning Masculinities,” the V&A’s New Show, Proves That Gender Has Always Been a Construct“Fashioning Masculinities: The Art of Menswear,” sponsored by Gucci, is on view at Londons V&A Museum from March 19 through November 6, 2022.
Read more »