A photo from open sources
Scientists have discovered the remains of a duck-like dinosaur, which 75 million years ago, wandered through the territory of North America. This the dinosaur is different from the rest in that it had a head on it a meaty comb is located, very similar to the crests of modern roosters. The duck-like dinosaurs (hadrosaurs) were large herbivores that filled the same ecological niche, like deer or kangaroos today. In the last century, paleontologists discovered several hadrosaur fossils, on the bones of which pieces of skin are preserved. These samples helped scientists come to the conclusion that the skin of the hadrosaurs had a structure similar to that of the skin modern crocodiles and birds. However, unfortunately, on the skull earlier found fossils skin is practically not preserved. However remains recently discovered in Alberta (Canada) hadrosaurs helped scientists study this species more thoroughly dinosaurs. Well-preserved fleshy crest located on dinosaur skull, led the researchers into a slight confusion, since earlier none of them had supposed the possibility of such finds. There are no bones in the crest structure, but its shape completely resembles the crest of a rooster, since it originates between the orbits, and ends on the back of the head. At its highest point the crest has a height of 20 centimeters, and its length reaches almost 33 see. Judging by the numerous wrinkles on the crest, during the life of a dinosaur It had a rather flexible structure. In modern birds, crests are usually used to call for sexual games. However crests present both in males and females, therefore, it is difficult for scientists understand which sex the found fossil belongs to animal. In order to determine the gender of this individual, scientists need to find and research additional samples representatives of this species so that by comparing the structure and the size of the skeletons to determine which sex this dinosaur. In addition, scientists are not sure that such a distinctive a comb-like trait is a feature of only a duck-like dinosaur – perhaps a lot of amazing and unusual discoveries, paleontologists say. Also, scientists cannot to say for sure whether the hadrosaur was worn as a meaty accessory only a crest or there were other additional “decorations”. The blame is that the skin located on the head is very bad persists, therefore it is possible that other crests by time the discovery of the remains simply disappeared without a trace or were lost from mind, since in the past paleontologists were more interested bone analysis, rather than the remains of the skin. Moreover, previously, researchers had no opportunities for deep study skin, so the skin of the minerals found is not just ignored, but often removed to gain access to bones. However, modern equipment and new technologies allow scientists today to make a lot of interesting and amazing discoveries, unravel the secrets of the past, which means helping us more clearly see our future.
Dinosaurs Kangaroo Birds USA
