The lifestyle and hunting strategies of Spinosaurus aegyptiacusa massive Cretaceous-era dinosaur with a unique sail-like spine, has long been the subject of intense scientific debate.
Is this massive predator, one of the largest extant and remarkably adapted to aquatic environments, a deep-sea hunter or does it prefer to catch its prey in shallower waters near the coast?
Hunting habits of Spinosaurus
A recent study led by a team of paleontologists at the University of Chicago, which analyzed the bone density of this mysterious dinosaur, reflected on this question, providing new insights into the debate.
Coastal destroyer
Discussion around Spinosaurus’ aquatic habits reignited with the publication of a near-complete specimen in 2014, described in the journal Science by a UChicago-led team as a possible coastal predator.
Underwater predator
On the contrary, a 2020 Nature the study suggested, based on the discovery of long spined tail bones, that Spinosaurus may have swam like an eel to hunt underwater prey.
Further support for this underwater hunting theory came in 2022, suggesting that Spinosaurus used its dense bones as ballast for diving, similar to the penguin’s strategy.
Critical new assessment
However, the University of Chicago team, including senior author Paul Sereno and first author Nathan Myhrvold, Founder and CEO of Intellectual Ventures, revisited these claims in their latest work, via critical appraisal of the methodology used in earlier studies to determine bone density and its implications. for dinosaur living.
“We made thin sections of these species that were used for bone density calculations, and so we thought we would start by trying to reproduce their measurements. But we encountered many factors that generated a range of values - enough to undermine the conclusions,” Sereno explained.
This reflects the complexity of accurately interpreting bone density in relation to water capabilities, especially given the differences in bone compositions of modern and extinct species.
Limitations of statistical methods
Moreover, the study examined the statistical method used in the 2022 study – phylogenetic flexible discriminant analysis (pFDA) – to classify the behavior of Spinosaurus. Myhrvold points out the limitations of this approach:
“Unfortunately, that method doesn’t work very well unless you have a lot of data, you make apples-to-apples comparisons, and you check that the data meets certain statistical requirements. Nothing of those requirements were met in that earlier study, so the results do not hold up under re-examination.”
Spinosaurus was a semi-aquatic hunter
The team’s findings not only challenge previous interpretations but also underscore the importance of applying rigorous, consistent criteria to statistical analyses.
Research suggests that Spinosaurus, despite its massive size and aquatic adaptations, was likely a semi-aquatic predator that hunted in waters where it could remain grounded, ambushing fish with its powerful jaws and its claws while avoiding deep or open water hunting.
“We think that Spinosaurus, one of the largest predators to have evolved, needed additional bone strength to support its weight on its relatively short hind legs,” Sereno explained.
“Spinosaurus was able to cross water channels more than six feet deep without floating, where it could ambush fish of any size with its claws and jaws – but all while keeping its toes on its foot anchored in the mud.”
Broader implications
This research, published in the journal PLoS ONEilluminates the complex nature of paleontological inquiry, where new evidence and methods can significantly change our understanding of prehistoric life.
It also highlights the need for careful interpretation of statistical analyzes and the value of considering multiple lines of evidence when reconstructing the behaviors and lifestyles of prehistoric creatures.
More about Spinosaurus
Spinosaurus is one of the most intriguing and unique dinosaurs known to science, mainly because of its unique features and adaptations. Here are some important points about Spinosaurus:
Name and discovery
The name “Spinosaurus” means “spine lizard,” a reference to its most striking feature: the long, prominent spines that extend from its vertebrae.
These spines can grow over 1.5 meters (5 feet) tall. Spinosaurus fossils were first discovered in Egypt in 1912 by German paleontologist Ernst Stromer, but many of the original fossils were destroyed during World War II, making subsequent research difficult.
Physical characteristics
Spinosaurus is believed to be one of the largest carnivorous dinosaurs, with estimates suggesting it could have reached a length of more than 15 meters (49 feet) and weighed up to 20 tons.
Its unique spines, which form a “sail” on its back, may have been used for display, thermoregulation, or other functions that scientists are still debating.
Aquatic lifestyle
Spinosaurus was notable for its aquatic adaptations, a rarity among dinosaurs. It has a crocodile-like skull with conical teeth perfect for catching fish, and its nostrils are located on its high skull, allowing it to breathe while partially submerged.
Recent studies suggest that it had paddle-like feet and a tail adapted for swimming, indicating that it probably spent a lot of time in the water, hunting for aquatic prey.
Diet and accommodation
Its diet probably consisted mainly of fish, making it one of the few known semi-aquatic, piscivorous dinosaurs.
Spinosaurus lived in what is now North Africa during the Cretaceous period, approximately 112 to 97 million years ago, in environments ranging from mangroves to river deltas, teeming with life, including various other fish, sharks, and other aquatic and semi-aquatic creatures.
Spinosaurus remains the subject of active research and debate, symbolizing the ever-evolving understanding of dinosaur biology and ecology.
Its unique adaptations make it stand out among dinosaurs, highlighting the diverse ways in which these ancient creatures could have evolved in their environments.
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