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| The long neck of the plesiosaur was used to forage for shellfish on the ocean floor. |
Scientists have discovered a seafood meal in the fossilized stomachs of two long-necked plesiosaurs that lived alongside the dinosaurs.
This finding indicates that these creatures had a more balanced diet than previously thought, shedding light on why they survived for millions of years.
Plesiosaurs were carnivorous reptiles known for their horrifying long necks. Members of the elasmosaur family had the longest necks, measuring twice the length of their bodies combined with their tails. They possessed numerous small, sharp teeth, ideal for catching fish and squid. Fossil studies of plesiosaurs in North America have confirmed this dietary adaptation. Based on this evidence, scientists believe that their long necks were an adaptation for capturing agile fish and squid.
However, a new study conducted by Stephen Wroe at the University of Sydney, Australia, found that the long necks of plesiosaurs also allowed these animals to forage at the ocean floor.
“Wroe and his team analyzed the fossilized stomachs of two plesiosaurs that lived approximately 100 to 110 million years ago, found in northern Queensland. One stomach was filled with crushed shell fragments and snails, while the other contained small pieces of shellfish.
Wroe suggested that the diverse diet of plesiosaurs might explain their long existence. ‘Plesiosaurs survived for at least 135 million years, which is truly a remarkable feat.’
Both plesiosaurs had large stones in their stomachs, which they may have used to crush hard shells.
Wroe noted that there has been debate regarding the function of these stones in plesiosaurs’ stomachs. Some people believe they serve as ballast. However, just a few kilograms of stones would not significantly affect the buoyancy of a two-ton reptile.
The discovery of shell remains in the plesiosaur stomachs now suggests that the stones had another function. ‘The stones were certainly effective at crushing shellfish. Their teeth were not suited for processing hard-shelled animals.’
M.T. (according to ABC Online)
