Rare fossil discovery in Canada reveals crocodilian attack on prehistoric flying reptile

Proceeding from a recent report, BBC unveils that researchers have uncovered a remarkable fossilized neck bone. 

Researchers have discovered a fossilized neck bone from a dinosaur that was bitten by a crocodile-like creature 76 million years ago. 

The bone, belonging to a young flying reptile, was found in Canada in July 2023 by a team from the University of Reading.

A study published last month revealed that the bone shows a circular puncture mark, 4mm in diameter, made by a crocodilian tooth.

According to the researchers, this "rare evidence" offers valuable insight into predator-prey interactions in the region during the Cretaceous Period.

The bone was uncovered in Dinosaur Provincial Park, Alberta, as part of a field course conducted by Dr. Brian Pickles from the University of Reading.

A scientific paper examining the bone was authored by researchers from the Royal Tyrrell Museum of Palaeontology (RTMP) in Canada, the University of New England in Australia, and Dr. Pickles.

Dr. Caleb Brown from the RTMP stated: "Pterosaur bones are very delicate, so finding fossils where another animal has clearly taken a bite is exceptionally uncommon."

He added, "This specimen being a juvenile makes it even more rare," with Dr. Brown serving as the lead author of the paper.

The punctured vertebra is believed to have come from a young Azhdarchid pterosaur, with an estimated wingspan of 6ft 7in (2m).

Adults of this species could grow as tall as a giraffe, with wingspans reaching around 32ft 10in (10m).

Researchers employed micro-CT scans and compared the fossil with other pterosaur bones to confirm that the bite mark was authentic and not caused by damage during fossilisation or excavation.

Dr. Pickles explained: "Bite traces help to document species interactions from this period."

He continued, "We can't say if the pterosaur was alive or dead when it was bitten, but the specimen shows that crocodilians occasionally preyed on, or scavenged, juvenile pterosaurs in prehistoric Alberta over 70 million years ago."

The study also noted that the bone represents the first evidence found in North America of ancient crocodilians feeding on these giant prehistoric flying reptiles.

By Naila Huseynova