New discover suggests ankylosaur’s tail golf equipment have been for bashing one another

Image of two squat dinosaurs circling each other and swinging their tails.

Enlarge / The tail golf equipment of ankylosaur species appear to have been used to bash one another somewhat than predators. (credit score: Henry Sharpe)

New analysis signifies that the tail golf equipment on enormous armored dinosaurs generally known as ankylosaurs might have advanced to whack one another somewhat than deter hungry predators. It is a full shift from what was beforehand believed.

Previous to the paper revealed right this moment in Biology Letters, most scientists appeared upon the dinosaur’s tail membership, a considerable bony protrusion comprised of two oval-shaped knobs, primarily as a protection in opposition to predation. The staff behind the brand new paper argues that this isn’t essentially the case. To make their case, they give attention to years of ankylosaur analysis, evaluation of the fossil document, and knowledge from an exceptionally well-preserved specimen named Zuul crurivastator.

Zuul’s identify, in truth, embraces that earlier thought. Whereas “Zuul” references the creature within the unique Ghostbusters, the 2 Latin phrases that make up its species identify are crus (shin or shank) and vastator (destroyer). Therefore, the destroyer of shins: a direct reference to the place the dinosaur’s membership might have struck approaching tyrannosaurs or different theropods.

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