Paleontologists used 3D scanning to analyze the wear marks on mosasaur teeth, discovering evidence of selective eating habits. This research shows dietary variations among species, with some mosasaurs favoring shellfish and others taking advantage of scaled fish.
Researchers from Utrecht University and the Natural History Museum Maastricht found dietary choices among mosasaur types by analyzing tooth wear marks, utilizing 3D scanning strategies. This study enhances understanding of Cretaceous duration biodiversity and highlights Maastrichts limestone deposits significance in paleontology.
The cradle of paleontology– the research study of fossil remains of animals and plants– lies in the Maastricht limestones, where the first Mosasaurus was discovered in 1766. The Dutch-Belgian border location around the Limburg capital is among the best-explored locations worldwide where Cretaceous rocks are concerned, the age that came to an abrupt end 66 million years ago.
New information can now be added to all previous understanding: the Maastricht mosasaurs ended up being quite particular in their choice of diet plan. This is the conclusion of researchers from Utrecht University and the Natural History Museum Maastricht. In partnership with English colleagues from the University of Leicester, they were the very first in the world to study the wear marks on mosasaur teeth.
Femke Holwerda with a cast of one of the teeth analyzed. A gold finish supplies better resolution. Credit: Utrecht University
Mosasaur Diet Studies
” We were curious whether different species of mosasaurs around Maastricht were actually getting in each others way in their choice of food, or whether this was not a lot of a problem,” describes Dr Femke Holwerda, paleontologist at the Utrecht University Faculty of Geosciences. In the absence of information on stomach contents of the Maastricht display lizards, the scientists therefore looked at minute scratches on the teeth of these animals from southern Limburg (the Netherlands) and in the vicinity of Eben-Emael (province of Liège, Belgium).
Seafood Banquet
” It appears that the different species of mosasaur expose distinctions in diet plan. We noted these distinctions generally between the smaller sized species– by mosasaur requirements– of about 3 to 7 meters in total size, and the bigger ones, 8 to fifteen meters in length.” There were likewise some distinctions in between the bigger types.
” Prognathodon in specific, with its large cone-shaped teeth, appears to have had an unexpected quantity of shellfish in its diet plan, so it apparently liked its seafood buffet. Another species, Plioplatecarpus, with narrow pointed teeth, revealed a striking variety of signs of wear. Perhaps this species was also keen on fish with strongly scaled bodies.”
Analysis of gold-plated Mosaurs teeth. Credit: University of Leicester
Ingenious Research Techniques
The researchers initially made casts of the teeth in silicone rubber and put them in the 3D scanner. “This strategy had currently been used in dinosaurs, but we were the first to take a look at the teeth of mosasaurs in the same way,” describes fellow paleontologist Anne Schulp, likewise associated with Utrecht University.
Understanding Ecosystem Diversity
With this research study, some missing out on pieces of the puzzle from the long-gone most current Cretaceous world are found. “We wish to understand diversity much better,” says Schulp. “And that is simplified for us because the animals studied all originated from the very same rocks, and for that reason the same duration. So rather of explaining simply one species, we look at the ecosystem as a whole.”
Excavation of Mosasaurus “Lars” in the former ENCI quarry near Maastricht Credit: Natural History Museum Maastricht.
Special Limestone Deposits
The limestone deposits around Maastricht are a goldmine for paleontologists. Schulp: “Nowhere else in the world is the habitat of mosasaurus as well maintained as here. You can find them in extremely soft limestone, so tear and wear of the teeth from other causes might be eliminated.”
Function of Amateur Paleontologists
Of course, such an abundance of prospective finds likewise applies a great attraction on amateur paleontologists. “Theres absolutely nothing incorrect with that,” stresses John Jagt, curator at the Natural History Museum Maastricht. “Amateur literally means lover and thanks to 250 years of intensive research study by these enthusiasts, we have discovered a lot about mosasaurs and other extinct life forms.
Recommendation: “Three-dimensional oral microwear in type-Maastrichtian mosasaur teeth (Reptilia, Squamata)” by Femke M. Holwerda, Jordan Bestwick, Mark A. Purnell, John W. M. Jagt and Anne S. Schulp, 9 November 2023, Scientific Reports.DOI: 10.1038/ s41598-023-42369-7.
” It seems that the numerous species of mosasaur expose differences in diet plan. Another species, Plioplatecarpus, with narrow pointed teeth, showed a striking number of signs of wear. You can find them in really soft limestone, so wear and tear of the teeth from other causes might be ruled out.”
“Amateur actually indicates enthusiast and thanks to 250 years of extensive research study by these enthusiasts, we have actually discovered a lot about mosasaurs and other extinct life kinds.
In collaboration with English associates from the University of Leicester, they were the first in the world to study the wear marks on mosasaur teeth.
