According to an analysis of an overlooked iguanodontian skull excavated in 1996, there may be a third type of the herbivorous dinosaur.About 125 million years ago, herds of inguanodontians browsed in a conifer-filled river valley in what is now the Isle of Wight, off of southern England. Iguanodontians are strange animals to human eyes.
dug from the cliffs of southern England. Since then, the huge herbivores have been found across Europe, in rocks spanning six million years. But despite that long history, paleontologists only recognize two species of iguanodontians., there may be a third type. On closer inspection, however, the skull stood out. Other skulls have straight, horse-like snouts, but this one,, has a big lump around the nostrils, like a much chunkier alligator. And when the researchers looked in its mouth, it had the wrong number of teeth.
So paleontologists need to piece together an image of a species from bits of different skeletons—a little like trying to sort out the pieces from two similar puzzles. Figuring out the fine distinctions between species is crucial for seeing how animals evolved, moved across the landscape, and adapted or died out as the environment changed. Imagine trying to understand the colonization of North America without being able to tell the difference between bison and cattle.
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How rich countries skew the fossil recordScientists from wealthier nations in Europe and North America contribute the lion’s share of fossil data. Oh ffs. 🙄 theternityclock That the rich countries have the most money for palaeontology research is obvious, but how does that skew the results! Of course, wealth doesn't garantee competence of researchers. But absence of wealth doesn't either. By digging in poor countries?
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