Tanystropheus hunted underwater thanks to its neck, according to new study

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Its neck was three times as long as its torso, but had only 13 extremely elongated vertebrae: Tanystropheus, a bizarre giraffe-necked reptile which lived 242 million years ago, is a paleontological absurdity.

A new study led by the University of Zurich has now shown that the creature lived in water and was surprisingly adaptable. 

 

An international team led by the University of Zurich has now reconstructed its skull in unprecedented detail using synchrotron radiation micro-computed tomography (SRμCT), an extremely powerful form of CT scanning. In addition to revealing crucial aspects of its lifestyle, this also shows that Tanystropheus had evolved into two different species.

The researchers were able to reconstruct an almost complete 3D skull from a severely crushed fossil. The reconstruction reveals that the skull of Tanystropheus has several very clear adaptations for life in water. The nostrils are located on the top of the snout, much like in modern crocodilians, and the teeth are long and curved, perfectly adapted for catching slippery prey like fish and squid.

However, the lack of visible adaptations for swimming in the limbs and tail also means that Tanystropheus was not a particularly efficient swimmer. “It likely hunted by stealthily approaching its prey in murky water using its small head and very long neck to remain hidden,” says lead author and UZH paleontologist Stephan Spiekman.

Source: https://www.heritagedaily.com/2020/08/long-neck-helped-reptile-hunt-underwater/134625

[PeachJug 3,140]

I'm turned on 

[LilMonst3r 5,681]

Its so cool how you can see the resemblence to crocodiles. They basically converted their necks into a powerful tail. 

 

[Freud 5,989]

 Can this please be an Emoji on here 

[Rifek 51,753]

10 minutes ago, Sandrology said:

 Can this please be an Emoji on here 

Can someone edit it into the Chromatica cover symbol „head”?