The Tanystropheus dinosaur ambushed fish and squid using its long neck.
Emma Finley-Jacob: University of Zurich
Swiss paleontologists have solved a 242-million-year puzzle of the mysterious Tanystropheus dinosaur, whose extra-long neck has previously baffled experts. Advanced scanning techniques have shown the creature was adapted to the water rather than land.
This content was published on
2 minutes
swissinfo.ch/mga
Experts have been puzzling over the exact role of the Tanystropheus’s elongated neck, which was as long as its body and tail combined. Some theorised that the feature could have given the dinosaur access to tree foliage, much as today’s giraffe.
But a team from the University of Zurich says it has proof that the dinosaur was a water dwelling ambush hunter. They found this by examining skull remains using a scanning tool known as synchrotron radiation micro-computed tomography. This allowed them to precisely recreate a complete 3D visualisation of the skull from the fragments.
The scans revealed features of adaptation to the water, such a nostrils located at the top of the skull and curved teeth designed to catch slimy creatures like fish. The length of the neck is believed to have allowed Tanystropheus to better ambush its prey.
“He probably hunted by swimming slowly through murky water and secretly approaching his prey,” said lead author of the study and University of Zurich paleontologist Stephen Spiekman in a statement. “His small head and very long neck helped him stay hidden for as long as possible.”
The team also identified two separate species of the dinosaur; a larger one that hunted fish and squid and a smaller version that likely ate shellfish and crabs.
Popular Stories
More
Multinational companies
Azeri fossil-fuel cash cow brings controversy to Switzerland
Swiss price watchdog slams excessive prices for generic medicines
This content was published on
The cheapest generic medicines available in Switzerland are more than twice as expensive as in other countries, according to a study by the Swiss price watchdog.
Nature should not figure in net zero calculations: academic study
This content was published on
The natural removal of CO2 from the atmosphere by forests or oceans should not be included in the net-zero balance of climate protection measures, argue researchers.
This content was published on
None of the 15 major Swiss retail banks is meeting international climate and biodiversity targets, according to a ranking by WWF Switzerland.
This content was published on
Nestlé's new CEO Laurent Freixe, has presented plans for the future of the world's largest food company, after his first few weeks in office.
Swiss foreign minister calls on Moscow to end Ukraine war
This content was published on
It's high time Moscow ended its war against Ukraine, Swiss foreign minister Ignazio Cassis tells the UN Security Council.
This content was published on
The only alternative to the UN Palestinian agency’s work in Gaza is to allow Israel to run services there, Philippe Lazzarini, UNRWA Commissioner-General, told reporters in Geneva on Monday.
Study reveals food culture differences between Switzerland and neighbours
This content was published on
Three-quarters of Swiss people consider eating to be a pleasurable, social activity, a new survey reveals. Healthy eating, however, plays a much less important role, it found.
If you want to start a conversation about a topic raised in this article or want to report factual errors, email us at english@swissinfo.ch.
Read more
More
New dinosaur species discovered in Switzerland
This content was published on
An early example of a therapod – bipedal and carnivorous – dinosaur uncovered in Switzerland belongs to a previously unknown genus and species.
This content was published on
A team of paleontologists from the Natural History Museum in Basel found last week the footprints of a predatory dinosaur at 3,300 metres in Ela Nature Reserve, Switzerland’s largest park. Basel museum officials said on Saturday that the tracks also represent the largest known specimens from the time period. The prints are 40cm long and…
This content was published on
The Piguet auction house in Geneva has sold a 70 million-year-old dinosaur called “Maximus” as part of a rare paleontology collection.
This content was published on
Swiss palaeontologists have discovered a fish jaw featuring rows of reserve teeth with a clever rotating replacement system.
You can find an overview of ongoing debates with our journalists here . Please join us!
If you want to start a conversation about a topic raised in this article or want to report factual errors, email us at english@swissinfo.ch.