Dinosaur Herds: New Fossil Discovery Reveals Unexpected Cooperation Among species
Drumheller, Alberta – A remarkable fossil discovery in the Dinosaur Provincial Park of Alberta, Canada, is challenging long-held assumptions about dinosaur behavior. Scientists have uncovered evidence suggesting that different dinosaur species, including herbivores and carnivores, may have traveled together in mixed herds approximately 76 million years ago. This unprecedented finding hints at potential cooperative strategies for defence and survival during the Late Cretaceous period.
The research, published in PLOS ONE, details the analysis of over 100 dinosaur footprints preserved in a 29-square-meter area of Badlands terrain. The tracks reveal a diverse group including large, horned herbivores, armored dinosaurs, smaller meat-eating dinosaurs, and potentially even early ceratopsians – all moving in the same direction.”The spatial arrangement of these tracks is what’s truly remarkable,” explains Dr. Phil Bell of the University of New England in Australia, lead author of the study. “The herbivores weren’t simply coexisting in the same area; thier footprints suggest they were actively moving together as a cohesive herd.”
This behavior could have offered significant advantages. Mixed-species herds may have provided increased vigilance against predators, with different species offering varied alarm calls or detection capabilities. The sheer size and collective defense of a combined herd could also have deterred attacks. Some tracks indicate individuals exceeding 70 centimeters in length, suggesting the presence of significant dinosaurs.
The preservation of these tracks is particularly noteworthy. The Badlands region is known for its high erosion rates, making the survival of delicate fossilized footprints rare. The discovery was unexpected, highlighting the potential for further paleontological breakthroughs in the area.
Evergreen Context: Dinosaur Social behavior
For decades, paleontologists have debated the extent of social behavior in dinosaurs. While evidence of herding has been found for certain species,the idea of mixed-species herding is relatively new. Previous discoveries have hinted at possible cooperative behaviors, such as mass nesting sites, but this latest find provides more direct evidence of dinosaurs actively choosing to travel together.
Understanding dinosaur social dynamics is crucial for reconstructing their lives and ecosystems. It sheds light on how they responded to environmental pressures, defended themselves, and ultimately, survived.This discovery opens new avenues for research into the cognitive abilities and behavioral flexibility of these ancient creatures.key Details:
Location: Dinosaur Provincial Park, Alberta, Canada
Age: Approximately 76 million years old (Late Cretaceous period)
Species Identified (potential): Horned herbivores, armored dinosaurs, small meat-eating dinosaurs, ceratopsians.
Meaning: First strong evidence of mixed-species dinosaur herding, suggesting cooperative behavior for defense and survival.
Source: PLOS ONE* publication by dr. Phil Bell and team from the university of New England.
