Fearsome dinosaur might not have looked so scary as dagger teeth may have been hidden behind LIPS
The fearsome undisputed king of dinosaurs may need to undergo an image makeover if new research by paleontologists turns out to be correct.
In the past researchers have claimed Tyrannosaurus rex likely had an exceptional sense of smell, may have been covered in feathers, may have scavenged rather hunted.
But now, according to one scientist, the giant carnivore also had a set of lips covering its sharp, sizeable gnashers.
According to palaeontologists, a closer look at the fearsome jaws of toothy reptiles alive today revealed tell-tale traces on the animals’ teeth, which indicate the presence of lips
When we see dinosaurs in popular culture, such as in the movie Jurassic Park, we see them depicted with big teeth sticking out of their mouths,’ said Dr Robert Reisz, a palaeontologist.
He added: ‘In popular culture, we imagine dinosaurs as more ferocious-looking, but that is not the case.
The information we have on the animals is based on the hard fossilised bone which has survived in rocks for millions of years, long after the rest of the animal has decayed.
We have very little information about dinosaurs’ soft tissue,’ added Dr Dr Reisz.
Paleontologists looked to crocodiles and monitor lizards – both reptilian predators with sharp teeth, but only the monitors have lips – for the impact of soft tissue on teeth as a proxy for dinosaurs.
Teeth have low water content and need a moist environment to help prevent decay and the erosion of the protective enamel.
While crocodiles lack lips, their teeth are kept moist by their aquatic environment.
Whereas monitor lizards – many of which live in desert environments – have lips to cover and protect their teeth.
In addition, the team looked at tusks in modern mammals, which are modified teeth which are permanently exposed.
When the tusks first form they have some enamel, but this wears away once they are exposed and is replaced by cementum.
Source: Daily mail
N.H.Kh