A study published July 15, 2026, in PLOS One examined fossilized bones from northeastern Wyoming to identify evidence of tooth marks left by prehistoric predators. The research was conducted by Bethania C. T. Siviero of Loma Linda University and colleagues, who analyzed over 3,000 bones dating to the late Cretaceous period, approximately 72 to 66 million years ago.
The majority of the examined bones came from Edmontosaurus annectens, a large herbivorous dinosaur characterized by a broad, duck-shaped bill. Among the thousands of specimens studied, only 12 bones displayed evidence of potential tooth damage. Four of these bones exhibited particularly distinctive patterns consistent with the expected tooth shape and spacing of Tyrannosaurus rex, leading researchers to conclude that the large carnivore was the probable source of these marks. The team noted that other damaged bones may have been created by different predators or scavengers present in the region during that time period, including other carnivorous dinosaurs and crocodilians.
Analysis of the marked bones revealed that most lacked signs of tissue healing around the damaged areas, suggesting that the biting events occurred near the time of death or after the animals had already expired. This observation, when considered alongside earlier research from the same fossil site, implies that certain animals may have been killed by predators, with their remains subsequently exposed to scavenging activity before fossilization occurred.
The research emphasizes the importance of establishing clear criteria for distinguishing authentic tooth marks from other bone damage caused by disease, insect activity, weathering, or erosion. Accurate identification of tooth marks is essential for paleontologists seeking to understand prehistoric animal behavior and ecological relationships. The study provides researchers with improved methodologies for interpreting fossil evidence and reconstructing interactions between ancient species.
Article Attribution | Read More at Article Source
Article summary produced by Claude AI