Artistic restoration of Gunakadeit Joseeae.
Fossil of Gunakadeit Joseeae.
According to the US "Physics Organization" website reported on February 4, the University of Alaska Fairbanks published a paper in the journal "Scientific Reports" on the same day that scientists have discovered a new sea dragon - Gunakadeit Joseeae. This sea dragon is the most complete sea dragon found in North America, giving paleontologists a new understanding of the family tree of sea dragons.
Sea dragons lived in the mid-to-late Triassic period, more than 200 million years ago. This marine reptile, which is 3-4 meters long, inhabits equatorial waters around the world and did not become extinct until the end of the Triassic period.
Before the discovery of Gunakadeit Joseeae, scientists had spent 20 years thoroughly updating the "family tree" of sea dragons. Re-examining the genealogies of prehistoric animals means studying fossil specimens around the world, analyzing dozens of detailed anatomical features, and then using computers to analyze that information to uncover connections between species. "At first we thought Gunakadeit joseeae was at the end of the evolutionary tree. However, the analysis proved that it was a relatively primitive sea dragon, but it survived until the late stages of the existence of the group. First author Patrick Druckenmiller said.
"The sea dragon was one of the first terrestrial reptiles to adapt to marine life." Neil Kelley, co-author of the paper, said, "They have been breeding for tens of millions of years, but the fossils that have survived are very rare. The new specimens discovered this time help fill a gap in the study of the evolution and eventual extinction process of sea dragons. ”
Scientists found fossils of Gunakadeit Joseeae in southeastern Alaska in 2011. It is speculated that the animal may stick its pointed nose into the cracks of coral reefs and feed on mollusks. This specialized diet may have ultimately led to its extinction — when sea levels drop and food sources change, they have nowhere to go.