real predatory dinosaurs like infamous tyrannosaurus rex It likely looked quite different from its movie star counterparts, and not just because they had feathers. theropod like T Rex The mouth could have been completely different. Instead of a lipless smile and permanently exposed teeth where the upper jaw hangs over the lower jaw like a crocodile, T Rex It may have boasted scaly lips that covered its teeth.
More information on this possible oral transformation can be found in New study published in the journal on March 30 chemistryAn international research team says these lips resemble lizards and their close relative, the lizard. TuataraThe last surviving reptile from the age of the dinosaurs, the tuatara is a rare reptile found only in New Zealand. live up to 100 years.
[Related: What are dinosaur feathers like?]
The team studied tooth structure, wear patterns, and Jaw morphology Both lipped and lipless reptiles. They found that the functions and anatomy of the theropod mouth actually resembled more lizards than lizards. crocodileAccording to this study, this similarity is T Rex It had lizard-like mouth tissue and scaly lips covering its teeth.
“Palaeontologists often like to compare extinct animals to their closest living relatives, but in the case of dinosaurs, their closest relatives have been evolutionarily different for hundreds of millions of years. , is incredibly specialized today,” said study co-author Derek Larson, Curator and Researcher of the Royal BC Museum Paleontological Collections in Canada. said“It’s quite remarkable how similar the theropod teeth are to monitor lizards. From the smallest dwarf monitor to the Komodo dragon, the teeth function in much the same way. can be compared very favorably with extinct animals like theropod dinosaurs based on this functional similarity, even if they are not closely related.”
Moreover, theropod lips probably weren’t muscles found in mammalsMost reptiles have lips that cover their teeth, but they cannot move independently. Humans and mammals curl their lips and growl, Posing with a ‘duck face’ for a selfiebut reptilian lips cannot.
The study also found that tooth wear in animals without lips was different from that seen in carnivorous dinosaurs. Dinosaur teeth were no larger than those of modern lizards compared to the relative size of their skulls. The teeth do not appear to have been large enough to be covered with scaly lips.
[Related: Is T. rex really three royal species? Paleontologists cast doubt over new claims.]
Another theropod lizard-like feature was the distribution of small holes around the jaws that supplied blood and nerves to the dinosaur’s gums and tissues in the mouth. When modeling the mouth closure of lipless theropod jaws, the research team found that the lower jaw would have to either squeeze the bone supporting the jaw or move the jaw joint apart to seal the mouth. bottom.
“Like any dentist will tell you, saliva is important to keep your teeth healthy. Teeth that aren’t covered with lips run the risk of drying out, which is found in crocodiles but not in dinosaurs.” , can take more damage while feeding or fighting. in a statement.
according to the teamthis prehistoric lip argument dates back to the 19th century when scientists began restoring dinosaur fossils. Jurassic Park The documentary hit the screens and has since become deeply entrenched in popular culture.
“Interestingly, there was no dedicated research or discovery that caused this shift. It probably reflected a penchant for new brutal aesthetics rather than a shift in scientific thinking,” said the paleontologist and Co-author Mark Whitton is from the University of Portsmouth, said in a statement“It subverts this popular depiction by covering its teeth with lizard-like lips. To do Jurassic Park T Rex“
The study provides new insights into how paleontologists reconstruct both the soft tissues and appearance of extinct species, and how scientists are feeding, maintaining dental health, and improving evolutionary progress. Allows you to learn more about how to maintain broad patterns.
