Photos Dino's Remains
She said numerous, extremely well-preserved ostracods, a shellfish commonly known as "seed shrimp," were preserved in the sediment next to the Iguanodon's remains. She even thinks the decaying dino's body created a "micro-environment" that helped to prevent the calcium carbonate in the shells from dissolving. Two Baryonyx teeth were also found near the Iguanodon, which she said might indicate "Baryonyx was scavenging the Iguanodon carcass." Other studies show that this carnivore ate a lot of fish, so it's possible the long-snouted meat eater with big, sharp claws stumbled upon the Iguanodon body while gulping down fish. The manner in which the Iguanodon's body decomposed suggests the herbivorous dinosaur may have died in a standing position, or had its body fall in that way, with its head resting where the shallow pool of freshwater met the sediment surface. Green algae, enriched by nutrients in the dead dino's flesh, then bloomed brightly around it. David Batten, honorary professor of paleontology at the University of Manchester, has also conducted studies on the plant microfossils at the Smokejacks Brickworks site, as well as surrounding regions. He told Discovery News that the new study presents findings that "are consistent with previous observations." The Surrey finds add to the evidence that England was once a dinosaur hot spot. One 95-mile-long section of the nearby Dorset coast has so many ancient animal and plant remains that locals now refer to it as The Jurassic Coast. Related Links: |
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