Researchers have for the first time examined the soft tissue of a fossilized plesiosaur. The findings reveal that this ancient marine reptile, known for its long neck, had areas of both smooth and scaly skin. This adaptation likely enabled it to swim swiftly while also navigating rough seabeds.
For the first time, researchers at Lund University in Sweden have examined the soft tissue of a fossilized plesiosaur. The findings indicate that this long-necked marine reptile possessed both smooth and scaly skin, which likely helped it swim quickly and traverse uneven seabeds.
Plesiosaurs inhabited the oceans during a significant part of the Mesozoic Era, roughly between 203 and 66 million years ago. These ancient reptiles, which could reach lengths of up to 12 meters, primarily fed on fish and exhibited swimming patterns similar to sea turtles by using four paddle-shaped flippers. Until this study, there had been limited knowledge about the physical characteristics of plesiosaurs. However, recent research published in the journal Current Biology by a team from Lund University has successfully analyzed soft tissue from a plesiosaur fossil that dates back 183 million years, discovered near Holzmaden, Germany.
“Finding fossilized soft tissue, such as skin and internal organs, is incredibly rare. We apply a variety of techniques to identify the smooth skin in the tail area along with scales found on the back edge of the flippers. This gives us unique insights into the appearance and biology of these long-gone reptiles,” shares Miguel Marx, a PhD student in geology at Lund University and the study’s lead author.
The study uncovers a distinctive mix of smooth and scaly skin across different body sections. The researchers suggest this variety could serve different purposes. The plesiosaur needed to swim effectively to hunt fish and squid-like creatures, which was facilitated by its smooth, hydrodynamic skin. At the same time, it required the ability to move over rough seafloors, an ability likely conferred by the scaly texture of its flippers.
“Our discoveries allow us to make more precise reconstructions of plesiosaur life, a task that has posed significant challenges since these creatures were first researched over two centuries ago. Moreover, the excellently preserved fossil from Germany underscores the importance of soft tissue in shedding light on the biology of these extinct animals,” Miguel Marx explains.
By reconstructing how these ancient animals looked, scientists can deepen their understanding of macroevolution and the adaptations needed to thrive in various environments. This exploration of the past aids our comprehension of Earth’s history and future trajectory.
“Beyond the mix of smooth skin and scales, it was an extraordinary moment to visualize the cells in thin cross-sections of the fossilized plesiosaur skin. I was astonished to see skin cells that had remained preserved for 183 million years, almost like viewing modern skin,” adds Miguel Marx.
YouTube Video: Analysis of Soft Tissue from a 183 Million-Year-Old Jurassic Plesiosaur
Along with Lund University, several other institutions contributed to this study: Uppsala University, RISE (Research Institutes of Sweden), Naturkunde-Museum Bielefeld, and Urwelt-Museum Hauff.
