A team of researchers were able to discover a collection of dinosaur footprints in Scotland, revealing information regarding the habitats and behaviors of the jurassic giants.
The Middle Jurassic era is filled with rich evolutionary changes, however, fossils and data from during this time are rare throughout the world. The only proof available during this period are minimal numbers of bones and teeth fragments.
Recently, scientists found the largest site of dinosaur fossils in Scotland — the Isle of Skye — and it contains Middle Jurassic footprints and handprints, with the biggest measuring up to about 28 inches (70 centimeters) in diameter.
Study lead author Dr. Steve Brusatte from the University of Edinburgh said the site is one of the most amazing discoveries ever made in the country.
The footprints belong to sauropods, which are plant-eating dinosaurs that lived some 170 million years ago.
Sauropods have long necks and tails, with legs that resemble pillars. These dinosaurs are well known for their large physique. The sauropods that lived in the Isle of Skye have not yet been clearly characterized but according to Brusatte, the settlers are estimated to have weighed about 15-20 tons and stood 50 feet.
The researchers studied the footprints and discovered that dinosaurs were closely related to the more popular brontosaurus gebnus and diplodocus genus.
In the past, the sauropod was believed to have settled in swamps due to the species' apparent inability to support its weight on land. In the 1970s, however, that hypothesis was refuted when scientists realized that the species was well-adapted to land living as manifested by its skeletal structure.
The new data from Skye show that sauropods did spent some time in the water. Although not swimmers or sole water inhabitants, Brusatte said the species stayed in the water for significant amounts of time.
The reason for the sauropods' staying in the water has not yet been clearly confirmed, with Brusatte saying that the lagoon probably served as a source of food or protection for the species.
"Regardless of the answer, this discovery and the other recent ones are inspiring us to re-imagine the lifestyles of these most incredible of ancient creatures," he said.
The study was published in the Scottish Journal of Geology on Tuesday, Dec. 1.
