A Brazilian fossil of 260 million years, known as Rastodon procurvidens, “opened your mouth” for sciencethanks to the use of high resolution computed tomography.
The animal found inhabited The northern region of São Gabrielin the pampa of Rio Grande do Sul, more than 260 million years ago.
The action carried out by researchers from the Federal University of Pampa, Rio Grande do Sul, and the National Museum, linked to UFRJ (Federal University of Rio de Janeiro), were able to open the interior of the skull and bones of the animal,
According to the research, The fossil belongs to an extinct group known as “Dicinodon”. Pdowry dowry dowry, eles They were very important herbivores during the end of the Paleozoic era and the beginning of the Mesozoic era, over 250 million years ago.
“The rastodon was literally with a closed mouth for over 250 million years. With micro-terography, we managed to open it and reveal incredible details of its evolutionary history,” says João Lucas da Silva, leader of the study published in the Journal of the Linnean Society.
The analysis revealed how certain bones of the skull and the rest of the skeleton were, besides determining that it was a young adult. These data helped reposition the rastodon in the evolutionary tree of the Dicinodons, showing that it belongs to a group that was playing on the floor.
According to the information disclosed,
“Long before dinosaurs arose, the dicinodonts were already the dominant herbivores, and understanding how these animals lived in clues about their evolution. With the rastodon we were able to do histological analyzes that analyzed the bone microstructure of this animal, revealing that it was actually a small animal.” says Marina Bento Soares, paleontologist of the National Museum – UFRJ.
Extinct animal
Dicinodons have a foolish beak and two prey that are usually facing backwards. First described in 2016, Rastodon drew attention, for presenting curved prey, pointed forward as a pair of clips – that differentiated him from the general pattern of his group.
With the complete preparation of the material and with the help of micro-terography, it was possible to “digitize” the specimen and generate 3D models, allowing scientists to literally see inside the head of the animal that was fossilized with closed mouth.
With the research it was also possible to note that, although well preserved, The back of the spine and pelvic waist is missing.
*Under supervision of Thiago Félix
