An Exceptionally Preserved Three-Dimensional Armored Dinosaur Reveals Insights into Coloration and Cretaceous Predator-Prey Dynamics

[Doctor Mud]

This fossil has been posted on here before:

 

 

 

But, here are the exciting outcomes of their research on this exceptionally preserved fossil:

 

This one is open access 

http://www.cell.com/current-biology/abstract/S0960-9822(17)30808-4

 

 

An Exceptionally Preserved Three-Dimensional Armored Dinosaur Reveals Insights into Coloration and Cretaceous Predator-Prey Dynamics

 

Caleb M. Brown

Donald M. Henderson

Roger E. Summons

Show more

 

Highlights

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A new armored dinosaur is described based on an exceptionally preserved specimen

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Abundant in situ osteoderms with keratinous sheaths and scales are preserved

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Reddish-brown coloration and crypsis in the form of countershading are indicated

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Crypsis indicates strong predation pressure on this large, heavily armored dinosaur

 

Summary

Predator-prey dynamics are an important evolutionary driver of escalating predation mode and efficiency, and commensurate responses of prey [1, 2 and 3]. Among these strategies, camouflage is important for visual concealment, with countershading the most universally observed [4, 5 and 6]. Extant terrestrial herbivores free of significant predation pressure, due to large size or isolation, do not exhibit countershading. Modern predator-prey dynamics may not be directly applicable to those of the Mesozoic due to the dominance of very large, visually oriented theropod dinosaurs [7]. Despite thyreophoran dinosaurs’ possessing extensive dermal armor, some of the most extreme examples of anti-predator structures [8 and 9], little direct evidence of predation on these and other dinosaur megaherbivores has been documented. Here we describe a new, exquisitely three-dimensionally preserved nodosaurid ankylosaur, Borealopelta markmitchelli gen. et sp. nov., from the Early Cretaceous of Alberta, which preserves integumentary structures as organic layers, including continuous fields of epidermal scales and intact horn sheaths capping the body armor. We identify melanin in the organic residues through mass spectroscopic analyses and observe lighter pigmentation of the large parascapular spines, consistent with display, and a pattern of countershading across the body. With an estimated body mass exceeding 1,300 kg, B. markmitchelli was much larger than modern terrestrial mammals that either are countershaded or experience significant predation pressure as adults. Presence of countershading suggests predation pressure strong enough to select for concealment in this megaherbivore despite possession of massive dorsal and lateral armor, illustrating a significant dichotomy between Mesozoic predator-prey dynamics and those of modern terrestrial systems.

 

 

The graphical abstract:

 

[Ptychodus04]

http://news.nationalgeographic.com/2017/08/nodosaur-dinosaur-fossil-study-borealopelta-coloration-science/

 

An amazingly well preserved specimen. Well done to the paleontologist who decided on the name!!!

[doushantuo]

THANX,KRIS

unless there are are two of them,this might be it

[Doctor Mud]

Yes, I was just in the process of uploading this paper in the previous post 

[Doctor Mud]

 

    

[doushantuo]

I am known as "Quick-draw" Doushanuo

Curiously enough,i was not browsing thought the contents of CB.

related

[Doctor Mud]

I'm on my phone 

my thumbs can't move fast enough to keep up!

 

This was in the same journal as our new genus of spiney worm. At least this one is open access!

Admin - feel free to combine posts if you think these should all be together 

[Fossildude19]

47 minutes ago, Doctor Mud said:

I'm on my phone 

my thumbs can't move fast enough to keep up!

 

This was in the same journal as our new genus of spiney worm. At least this one is open access!

Admin - feel free to combine posts if you think these should all be together 

Done!  

[Doctor Mud]

1 minute ago, Fossildude19 said:

Done!  

 

Thanks!

[Ptychodus04]

Snarge! I thought I had a scoop!!! I should have known you guys would have beaten me to the punch.

[Doctor Mud]

2 minutes ago, Ptychodus04 said:

Snarge! I thought I had a scoop!!! I should have known you guys would have beaten me to the punch.

It must have been close!

Our fossil news antennae were tuning into the news at about the same time.

 

What a magnificent fossil eh?

i wound love to see this in person.

[Ptychodus04]

2 minutes ago, Doctor Mud said:

It must have been close!

Our fossil news antennae were tuning into the news at about the same time.

 

What a magnificent fossil eh?

i wound love to see this in person.

 

+1!!!!!!!!! It looks awesome.

[Doctor Mud]

Updated the first entry with a link to the first post by @Susan from PA on the forum about this discovery.

nice to see the resulting paper.

Definitely on my list of top 10 fossils ever....

[izak_]

Welp, that is amazing. 

[Doctor Mud]

14 hours ago, Ptychodus04 said:

 

+1!!!!!!!!! It looks awesome.

http://www.nationalgeographic.com/magazine/2017/06/nodosaur-3d-interactive-dinosaur-fossil/

 

Until that day - the next best thing!

A 3D tour. I guess that means there is a 3D model somewhere that could be 3D printed?????

[Ptychodus04]

Amazing...