A 76-million-year-old fossilized dinosaur bone with a puncture mark from an ancient crocodile-like creature has been discovered in Canada. The bone, belonging to a young flying reptile, was unearthed by researchers from the University of Reading in July 2023.
The discovery features a circular 4mm-wide bite mark from a crocodilian tooth. A study released last month confirmed the finding and revealed that the bone is rare evidence of predator-prey dynamics during the Cretaceous Period.
The bone, discovered in Dinosaur Provincial Park, Alberta, was found to belong to a young Azhdarchid pterosaur with an estimated wingspan of 6ft 7in. Adults of this species would have been as tall as a giraffe with a wingspan of around 32ft 10in.
Researchers used micro-CT scans and comparisons with other pterosaur bones to confirm the bite was real and not caused by damage during fossilization or excavation. The study sheds light on ancient species interactions, revealing that crocodilians occasionally preyed on juvenile pterosaurs in prehistoric Alberta over 70 million years ago.
This discovery is significant as it marks the first evidence found in North America of ancient crocodilians feeding on giant flying reptiles.
Source: https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/ckgnlnwk5ppo