18.12 | 23:01
Almost two hundred years it took scientists to explain how in the days of ancient reptilian dinosaurs could swim. This question puzzled scientists since 1824, when an amateur paleontologist Mary Anning, found the remains of a prehistoric plesiosaur Dorset with a full set of bones. The debate about how to use animals limbs like wings, these barrel-shaped creature with a long neck and small head, continued to the present. The research involved Dr. Adam Smith of Nottingham Museum of Natural History.
It was only a computer simulation based on the characteristics of animal movements Jurassic helped unravel the riddle two centuries: he has shown that movement resembles the movement of plesiosaurs modern penguins. These animals were diving into the water like penguins and the water they used forelimbs as rowing oars, and the rear – as rudders.
As said Dr. Smith, the subject of the dispute was a way to use the limb: whether all the limbs were performed the role of oars or plesiosaur moved them up and down like a penguin or turtle waterfowl. Computer reconciled the disputing scientists, suggesting that it was a combination of the first and second method of movement.
The simulator showed that the hind legs of the animal to be weak for the jog movement, that is, they could not be a “motor” for underwater movement plesiosaur.
«We assume that the plesiosaur used mainly forelegs to move under water, and the rear – to maneuver and stability,” – said Smith.
Plesiosaurs are a-kind unique animals, as were two pairs of limbs, like the wings, allowing them to enjoy themselves in the water.
Meanwhile paleobiologist Dr. David Martill from the University of Portsmouth said that remains to be used whether larger plesiosaurs front legs as “oars” actively as small animals (plesiosaur was found a copy of a length of only three meters). Scientists suggest that the largest individuals eat as well as modern crocodiles, ie hind limbs could be used for the rapid rotation of the animal’s body.
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