The soft tissue of a plesiosaur has been examined in unprecedented detail, uncovering that these ancient marine reptiles, which thrived during the era of dinosaurs, possessed scales akin to those of contemporary sea turtles.
The 183-million-year-old plesiosaur fossil, measuring 4.5 meters in length and designated as MH7, was originally excavated from a quarry in Holzmaden, Germany, in 1940. To ensure its preservation during World War II, the fossil was buried in a museum garden and remained in storage for approximately 75 years before being prepared for analysis in 2020.
Researchers analyzed thin sections of the fossil, which were treated to dissolve away the minerals, allowing for the examination of the organic remains and their microscopic structure.
This landmark study reveals that the plesiosaur exhibited both smooth and scaly skin. The discovery is significant as it marks the first in-depth analysis of fossilized soft tissues from a plesiosaur. Experts previously had limited access to similar specimens, which were primarily safeguarded in museums.
The research team was intrigued to find that the plesiosaur had areas of textured, scaled skin on its flippers, likely enhancing its swimming capabilities and maneuverability along the seafloor while foraging for food. In contrast, the smooth skin on the body would have minimized drag, improving efficiency when swimming.
This breakthrough provides valuable insights into the external appearance and anatomical diversity of long-necked plesiosaurs, offering a clearer vision of this fascinating creature’s physiology.
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