Schematic diagram of abnormal bone growth in fossil sample MOR 7029 (Source: Author). Springer Nature Courtesy photo
A recent paleontological paper published in Science Reports, an open access academic journal owned by Springer Nature, says that the fossil remains of a young lepidosaur may be the first evidence of a dinosaur respiratory infection. The discovery of a large, long-necked herbivorous sauropod dinosaur has increased paleontological understanding of the diseases suffered by dinosaurs.
Long-necked complex and circuitous lung complex and hypothetical infection pathway in MOR 7029, as well as human scale (Source: Author et al.). Springer Nature Courtesy photo
The fossil sample used for the latest study, called MOR 7029, was discovered in southwestern Montana in 1990 and dates back to the Late Jurassic Period, about 150 million years ago. Corresponding author Cary Woodruff of the Great Plains Dinosaur Museum and colleagues analyzed three bones in the neck of MOR 7029 and found bone protrusions with abnormal, irregular shapes and bone mass. These protrusions were located on three bones or had been attached to inflatable structures called air sacs, which may have been connected to the lungs of MOR 7029 and formed part of mor 7029's respiratory system. CT scans of these irregular protrusions by the researchers revealed that they were made up of abnormal bones that most likely formed after an infection.
Artistic fictional reproduction of the fossil sample MOR 7029 (Source: Paper author and Corbin Rainbolt). Springer Nature Courtesy photo
Judging by where these abnormal skeletal protrusions are located, the research team believes that these protrusions should have formed after the air sac of MOR 7029 was infected and then spread to its neck bone. They speculate that this may be caused by a fungal infection similar to aspergillosis, a respiratory disease commonly found in birds and reptiles that induces bone infections.
The authors believe that if MOR 7029 had indeed been infected with aspergillus, it may have had flu or pneumonia-like symptoms such as weight loss, cough, fever, and difficulty breathing. They noted that because aspergillosis is a fatal danger in birds without treatment, MOR 7029 may die from infection.