Paleontologists have identified a new type of dinosaur iguanodontiano In England, and its dorsal fin is one of the most striking ones.
As in many recent discoveries, the researchers “discovered” Istioracis macarthurae After reviewing the fossils that were already excavated. The view is named after the famous sailor from the island of White, where the fossil was originally found that about 125 million years.
Big Surprise Experts
After checking the fossils from more detail by paleontologist Jeremy Lockwood and his colleagues saw that what they were studying is a completely different type of dinosaur. Earlier, scientists believed that the bones belonged to one of the two well -known species of iguanadontists from the island of White. The results of this investigation were published on August 21 at Documents in paleontology.
“Although the skeleton was not as complete as the rest that was found, no one looked at these bones,” Lockwood said Statement University of Portsmut UK. “It was thought that it was nothing but another sample of one of the existing species, but he had particularly long nerve spikes, something very unusual.”
Analyzing more, Lockwood saw that the stretched spikes were not an accidental feature of this particular person, but the characteristics that pointed to another species. To confirm their suspicions, Lockwood and his colleagues conducted a detailed investigation into the fossils and created a large duty database with similar physical characteristics. As a result, they were able to identify broader evolutionary trends in dinosaurs with body parts.
Paleontologists do not know exactly why these candles will be used, but they have some assumptions. Theories vary from heat regulation to storage of fat but in case IstioracisThe most likely answer is that the candles developed in men to “hit women or intimidate competitors”, Lockwood explained.
A huge size
“Evolution sometimes prioritize priorities for extravagas,” he said. “Candles Istioracis They were not big but more exaggerated than usual, in the Iguanodonto dinosaurs, and this is the type of characteristic that can be counted on sexual choice. “
Candles Istioracis They also confirm the study tendency, which suggests that these appendages in the spinal spikes of iguaanadontists began at the end of the Jurassic period, approximately 143 to 162 million years. Paleontologists are of particular interest in true theonization, in which “spinal spikes are four times larger than the height of the vertebral body”, according to their statements. He Istioracis Despite the impressive, it does not reach such an extravagance level, as this work believes.
The study of the past also reveals the things of the present. And perhaps this happens in both directions. For example, there are several types of reptiles of our day that have similar and complex ridges and candles that are a sign of health and strength for their potential couples, Lockwood said. And he added: “He Istioracis This is an example of the deep past of the same evolutionary pressure, which we see in the structures of modern animals. “
This article was translated from Gizmoda US Lucas Handley. Here you can find the original version.
