HomePLANTS & ANIMALSPaleontology & FossilsStudy finds first evidence indicating dinosaur respiratory infection

Study finds first evidence indicating dinosaur respiratory infection

The fossilized remains of an immature diplodocid may provide the first evidence of a unique respiratory infection in a dinosaur. The study has been published in Scientific Reports. The study will increase our understanding of the illnesses that affected dinosaurs.

The specimen was discovered in southwest Montana, U.S. It dates back to the Late Jurassic Period of the Mesozoic Era. Scientists examined three of the cervical vertebrae of the specimen. They identified never-before-seen abnormal bony protrusions. It had an unusual shape and texture.

These protrusions were located in an area of each bone. There they would have been penetrated by air-filled sacs. These air sacs would have ultimately connected to the specimen’s lungs. It formed part of the dinosaur’s complex respiratory system. CT imaging of the irregular protrusions revealed something. They were made of abnormal bone which formed in response to an infection.

CT scans of infected vertebra from Dolly. Photograph and scan model of the infected vertebra
CT scans of infected vertebra from Dolly. Photograph and scan model of the infected vertebra (A & B respectively). The colored lines in (B) correspond to the scan slices (and scan interpretative drawings below). White arrows point to the externally visibly abnormal bone growth, while black arrows denote the internal irregularities. (C) Comparison of the abnormal tissue composition of Dolly (left), compared to that of a ‘normal’ sauropod (right). Credit: Woodruff, et al.

Scientists suggested they formed in response to a respiratory infection. These spread into these neck vertebrae via the air sacs. They caused the irregular bone growths. Scientists observed this respiratory infection. It could have been caused by a fungal infection similar to aspergillosis. It is a common respiratory illness that affects birds and reptiles today. It can lead to bone infections. The fossilized infection also has important anatomical implications for the respiratory system of sauropod dinosaurs.

Abnormal bony growth in MOR 7029
Abnormal bony growth in MOR 7029. (A) Schematic map of the neck of Diplodocus, with the abnormal bone growth denoted in red. (B) Neck vertebra of MOR 7029 with a red box highlighting the abnormal structure; close up in (C) with interpretative drawing in (D) (abnormal structure in red). Credit: Woodruff, et al.

Scientists suggested the specimen had been infected with an aspergillosis-like respiratory infection. It has experienced flu or pneumonia-like symptoms. This includes weight loss, coughing, fever and breathing difficulties. Aspergillosis can be fatal in birds if untreated. The similar infection caused the death of the specimen.

The elaborate and circuitous pulmonary complex of the sauropod
The elaborate and circuitous pulmonary complex of the sauropod, with the hypothetical route of infectious pathway in MOR 7029. Human scale bar is the profile of a man standing 170cm tall. Credit: Woodruff, et al., and Francisco Bruñén Alfaro.

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