Groundbreaking Fossil Suggests Spinosaurus Is First Known Swimming Dinosaur
Its paddle-like tail, unearthed in Morocco, suggests the Cretaceous carnivore ventured into the water to hunt.
By Katherine J. Wu
SMITHSONIANMAG.COM
APRIL 30, 2020 12:11PM
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3 comments
Feel free to reply to any comment by clicking the "Reply" button.This is already being argued, some say it was for display and not an indicator of an aquatic lifestyle....
jasen
Level 8
May 1, 2020
0
That is possible. I would suggest looking at the articulation wear between tail vertebrae. If it was partially aquatic and depended upon the tail for propulsion and balance in the water, it will show more use wear at articulation surfaces than something used strictly for adornment. Might be observable in fossil specimen depending upon preservation and rock matrix.
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