Dinosaur Bone Lesions Suggest Ancient Respiratory Illness Similar to Modern Bird Disease
Fossilized bones from a long-necked sauropod dinosaur discovered in montana exhibit unusual lesions, which researchers interpret as evidence of airsaccullitis, an inflammatory respiratory disease that still affects birds today. The findings, detailed in a study led by Dr. Cary Woodruff, suggest that this ancient dinosaur, nicknamed “Dolly,” may have suffered from symptoms akin to those experienced by humans with respiratory illnesses, such as coughing, difficulty breathing, and fever.
While the exact cause of the disease in dinosaurs remains unconfirmed, scientists speculate it could have been triggered by severe fungal infections, similar to aspergillosis. Studying such ancient diseases offers valuable insights into the evolution of modern illnesses and could potentially lead to new strategies for combating them.
The study of dinosaur diseases is challenging due to the rarity of preserved internal organs in fossils. Most of what is known about dinosaur health comes from evidence found in their bones. Researchers frequently enough draw parallels with modern birds, which are descendants of dinosaurs, to understand the physiology and behavior of their ancient relatives. By examining the skeletal remains and comparing them with current avian diseases, scientists can piece together a more extensive picture of dinosaur health and the diseases that afflicted them millions of years ago.
