A soft tissue of 183 million years analyzed Jurian Plesiosaurs

Plesiosaurs lived in the world’s oceans most of the Mesozoic era (203-66 million years ago). These reptiles, which could grow up to 12 meters, were fed on the fish and moved like sea turtles using four slippers like paddles. So far, little has been known about the exterior anatomy of Plesiosaur. However, in a new study published in a scientific journal Current biologyThe research team led by scientists at the Lund University managed to analyze the soft tissue from the 183 million years of Plesiosaur located near Holzaden in Germany.

“Fossilized soft tissue, such as skin and internal organs, is extremely rare. We used a wide range of techniques for recognizing smooth skin in the tail area, as well as the scales along the back edge of the slipper. This gave us an incomparable insight into this appearance and biology of these long extinct reptiles, “says Miguel Marx, a doctoral study of geology at Lund University and the chief author of the study.

The results detect an unusual combination of smooth and shell skin on different parts of the body. Researchers believe that this variation could be associated with different functions. Plesiosaur was supposed to swim effectively to capture fish and squid animals, the task made it easier for smooth and hydrodynamic skin. However, it was also necessary to move over the coarse sea floats, which the scales of the flepeners would probably allow it.

“Our discoveries help us to create more precisely life reconstruction of Plesiosaur, something that was extremely difficult because they were first studied more than 200 years ago. Also, well -preserved German fossil really emphasizes the potential of soft tissue in providing valuable insights into these long -extinctly extinct biology An animal, “explains Miguel Marx.

By reconstructing the appearance of ancient animals, researchers can improve our understanding of macroevolination and adjustments needed to survive in certain environments. In recreation of the past, we can also better understand the history of the country and where we are heading.

“Apart from mosaic of smooth skin and scales, it was an incredible moment to visualize cells in thin parts of the fossilized skin of Plesiosaur. I was shocked when I saw skin cells that were preserved 183 million years. It was watching modern skin,” says Miguel Marx.

YouTube video: A soft tissue of 183 million years analyzed Jurian Plesiosaurs

In addition to the Lund University, the following institutions and organizations participated in the study: University of Uppsala, Rise (Research Institutes of Sweden), Naturkunde-Museum Bielefeld and Urwelt-Museum Hauff.