Unveiling Plesiosaur Biology
A 183-million-year-old plesiosaur fossil found in revealed exceptional preservation of soft tissues, including skin and scales, offering new insights into the appearance and biology of these ancient marine reptiles.
The study identified smooth skin and scales in different body regions, suggesting adaptations for efficient swimming and traversing rough seafloors, enhancing our understanding of plesiosaur life and evolution.
Significance of the Discovery
This find is notable for its rarity, as fossilized soft tissue is exceptionally uncommon, providing a unique opportunity to study the external anatomy and environmental adaptations of plesiosaurs.
The research, published in Current Biology, underscores the potential of soft tissue analysis in reconstructing the life and habitat of long-extinct species, contributing to broader insights into Earth's biological history.