Stomach stone hypothesis sheds light on the evolution of dinosaur digestive systems
An international research team led by Assistant Professor Ryuji Takasaki of the Faculty of Biosphere-Geosphere Science at Okayama University of Science has published a paper proposing a new hypothesis on the evolutionary history of dinosaur digestive systems by focusing on gastroliths—stones found within dinosaur abdominal cavities. By examining the degree of wear on these gastroliths, the team…
A team of international researchers led by Assistant Professor Ryuji Takasaki from Okayama University of Science has proposed a novel hypothesis regarding the evolution of dinosaur digestive systems. The team focused on gastroliths, or stones found within dinosaur abdominal cavities, and examined their wear patterns to infer how different dinosaur species processed food.
By comparing gastroliths from living animals, the researchers found that dinosaurs used multiple digestion strategies, including grinding food in muscular stomachs like modern birds, chewing food in their mouths like mammals, and fermenting food in their intestines. The study found that herbivorous dinosaurs, such as many toothless theropods, likely possessed rounded, abraded gastroliths, suggesting they mechanically ground plant material.
In contrast, carnivorous dinosaurs retained angular, less abraded gastroliths due to their less muscular stomachs and smaller exertion force. This suggests that different dinosaur groups evolved distinct digestive strategies, with some relying on teeth and jaws, while others may have used extended digestion in their intestinal tracts.
The findings indicate that dinosaur digestive systems evolved along different lineage-specific trajectories, and that gastrolith wear patterns can provide valuable insights into these diverse dietary adaptations.
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