Groundbreaking Study Uncovers Secrets of Plesiosaurs' Rapidly Growing Neck Evolution
This groundbreaking study reveals how the long necks of plesiosaurs evolved, with rapid growth followed by a slower rate. The research focuses on a newly identified species, Chusaurus xiangensis, and provides valuable insights into plesiosaurs' ecological role. By studying the fossilized remains, scientists gain a deeper understanding of the evolution and adaptations of these ancient marine reptiles.
A groundbreaking new study has revealed fascinating insights into the evolution of plesiosaurs, the ancient marine reptiles. According to the research, plesiosaurs' distinctive long necks experienced rapid growth approximately 250 million years ago, over a span of five million years. The growth rate of their necks then began to slow down. The study, conducted by a team of international experts from the United Kingdom and China, analyzed the fossilized bones of a newly identified species called Chusaurus xiangensis. This short-necked ancestor of plesiosaurs lived during the Early Triassic period and was discovered in China's Nanzhang-Yuan'an Fauna of Hubei Province.
Interestingly, Chusaurus had a relatively short neck compared to its later relatives, with just 17 vertebrae. This is in contrast to some Late Cretaceous plesiosaurs, like Elasmosaurus, which boasted 72 vertebrae, with necks that were five times the length of their trunks. The researchers believe that plesiosaurs primarily extended their necks by adding new vertebrae, and the Chusaurus fossil provides valuable insights into this evolutionary process. "We were lucky enough to find two complete skeletons of this new beast," commented Qi-Ling Liu, the lead researcher from the China University of Geosciences in Wuhan.
"It's small, but it's close to the ancestry of the important group of marine reptiles called Sauropterygia." The study also sheds light on the ecological role of plesiosaurs. It is believed that they were well-suited for capturing prey from water, particularly fast-moving fish. "As small predators, they were probably mainly feeding on shrimps and small fish," said Ben Moon from the University of Bristol. Their ability to sneak up on shoals of fish and dart their heads after prey was a crucial survival tool. The findings of this study, recently published in BMC Ecology and Evolution, offer important insights into the long-necked marine reptiles that once roamed our oceans. By studying the fossilized remains of Chusaurus and analyzing the growth patterns of plesiosaurs' necks, scientists are gaining a deeper understanding of the evolution and adaptations of these fascinating creatures.