Imaging Technology Revolutionizes Palaeontology, Uncovering New Fossil Discoveries

A recent discovery of a new species of flesh-eating dinosaur has shed light on the possibility of larger early carnivorous dinosaurs, while another finding of a tiny reptile skeleton has revealed insights into the feeding habits of ancient insects. The studies highlight the potential of imaging technology in revolutionizing palaeontology, allowing scientists to study fossils that were previously inaccessible.

Key Takeaways:

• A new species of flesh-eating dinosaur, Newtonsaurus cambrensis, has been discovered using photogrammetry, a method that creates a 3D model from photographs of a fossil. The dinosaur is estimated to have been 5-7 meters long and lived in south Wales during the Triassic period.
• The fossil impression had been described in 1899 but was only recently studied in detail using photogrammetry, which allowed for the creation of a 3D model without damaging the delicate fossil.
• The study of the tiny reptile skeleton, Agriodontosaurus, used CT X-ray scanning and revealed that the ancient insect-eater had broad, chisel-like teeth and likely tussled with cockroach-like bugs.
• Virtual palaeontology has become ubiquitous in the field, with hundreds of scanning machines installed in university and museum research departments.
• Digital models of fossils can be used for functional experiments, such as analyzing the mechanical properties of skulls and testing the responses of skeletons to compression and tension.

Statistics:

• The Newtonsaurus cambrensis fossil is estimated to be 203 million years old.
• The Agriodontosaurus fossil is 243 million years old.
• The CT X-ray scan of the Agriodontosaurus revealed details of the zones of compact and less compact bone as well as the attachments of the teeth.
• The synchrotron made an extremely intense beam of light that scientists used to study the specimen.
• The bite force of Tyrannosaurus rex was calculated to be as much as 50,000 Newtons, equivalent to a force of 5 tonnes.

Sources:

• The Conversation -- UK -- By Michael J. Benton, Professor of Vertebrate Palaeontology, University of Bristol
• The new species of flesh-eating dinosaur that once roamed south Wales: an imaging technology revolution -- https://theconversation.com/the-new-species-of-flesh-eating-dinosaur-that-once-roamed-south-wales-an-imaging-technology-revolution-266849
• ERC, NERC, Leverhulme Trust (funding sources of Michael J. Benton)