mosasaurus bite force

Seabeds bordering the cratons in Africa and Arabia and extending to the Levant and Brazil provided vast shallow marine environments. Adding to its offensive line-up are a line of 40-50 teeth measuring some 25-30mm in length. There is also evidence of aggressive interspecific combat between Mosasaurus and other large mosasaur species. [11][50] In the hindlimbs, the paddle is supported by four sets of digits. Fossil vertebrae from the layer were found with fractures formed after death. [56][57] Street (2016) noted that large M. missouriensis individuals typically had skulls exceeding lengths of 1 meter (3.3ft). M. lemmonieri had the most vertebrae in the genus, with up to around forty dorsal vertebrae, twenty-two pygal vertebrae, and ninety caudal vertebrae. [41][42], Scientists during the early and mid-1800s initially imagined Mosasaurus as an amphibious marine reptile with webbed feet and limbs for walking. Mosasaurus ( / mozsrs /; "lizard of the Meuse River ") is the type genus (defining example) of the mosasaurs, an extinct group of aquatic squamate reptiles. [24] In 1818, a fossil from Monmouth County, New Jersey became the first North American specimen to be correctly recognized as a Mosasaurus by scientists of the time. hoffmannii. This sort of attack has been compared to the defensive behavior of bottlenose dolphins using their beaks to kill or repel lemon sharks, and it has been speculated that T. bernardi dealt the offensive attack via an ambush on an unsuspecting Mosasaurus. [89], There is fossil evidence that Mosasaurus engaged in aggressive and lethal combat with others of its kind. hoffmannii. The fossils were found in association with fossils of Squalicorax, Enchodus, and various ammonites within a uniquely fossil-rich bed at the base of the Hornerstown Formation known as the Main Fossiliferous Layer. [50], Mosasaurus swam using its tail. This level of bone infection would have been tremendously painful and severely hampered the mosasaur's ability to use its jaws. In this case, there were signs of healing around the wound, implying survival of the incident. [88][126] Lingham-Soliar (1995) elaborated on this, finding that Maastrichtian deposits in the Netherlands with M. hoffmannii occurrences represented nearshore waters around 4050 meters (130160ft) deep. Megalodon is coming into the ring with a brutal bite force of 275,000 kPa. [102][103][104] The wide range of oceanic climates yielded a large diversity of fauna that coexisted with Mosasaurus. Mosasaurus gave its name to a group of marine lizards - Mosasaurs. [128], By the end of the Cretaceous, mosasaurs were at the height of their evolutionary radiation, and their extinction was a sudden event. [2], Distribution, ecosystem, and ecological impact. [124] The fish assemblage of the Lpez de Bertodano Formation was dominated by Enchodus and ichthyodectiformes. It is geographically subdivided into two biogeographic provinces that respectively include the northern and southern Tethyan margins. The magnus adductor muscles, which attach to the lower jaws to the cranium and have a major role in biting function, are massive, indicating M. hoffmannii was capable of enormous bite forces. [50] The quadrate bone, which connected the lower jaw to the rest of the skull and formed the jaw joint, is tall and somewhat rectangular in shape, differing from the rounder quadrates found in typical mosasaurs. Mosasaurus also has large haemal arches located at the bottom of each caudal vertebra which bend near the middle of the tail, which contrasts with the reduction of haemal arches in other marine reptiles such as ichthyosaurs. This does not mean Mosasaurus and its associated fauna survived the K-Pg extinction. How much bite force does a hyena have? [108] Extensive drainage from the neighboring continents, Appalachia and Laramidia, brought in vast amounts of sediment. This rigid but highly shock-absorbent structure of the cranium likely allowed a powerful bite force. [50][36] Rather, M. hoffmannii likely employed inertial feeding (in which the animal thrusts its head and neck backward to release a held prey item and immediately thrust the head and neck forward to close the jaws around the item[78]) and used jaw adduction to assist in biting during prey seizure. bite force of a liger is 900. The lack of a strong sense of smell suggests that olfaction was not particularly important in Mosasaurus; instead, other senses like vision may have been more useful. There is no evidence for live birth in Mosasaurus itself, but it is known in a number of other mosasaurs;[97] examples include a skeleton of a pregnant Carsosaurus,[97] a Plioplatecarpus fossil associated with fossils of two mosasaur embryos,[98] and fossils of newborn Clidastes from pelagic (open ocean) deposits. [112][114] During the Navesinkan Age, Mosasaurus dominated the whole region, accounting for around two-thirds of all mosasaur diversity with Plioplatecarpus and Prognathodon sharing the remaining third. The dentaries' condition suggests that the species may have had an efficient process of immobilizing the fracture during healing, which helped prevent damage to vital blood vessels and nerves. [5], The palate, which consists of the pterygoid bones, palatine bone, and nearby processes of other bones, is tightly packed to provide greater cranial stability. Agnete Weinreich Carlsen considered it the simplest explanation that such conditions were a product of inadequate anatomical adaptation. The teeth were largely consistent in size and shape with only minor differences throughout the jaws (homodont) except for the smaller pterygoid teeth. It was not stated whether they applied Russell's 1967 ratio. As a tropical area, bony fish such as Enchodus and Stratodus and various sharks were common throughout the southern Tethyan margin. hoffmannii, M. missouriensis, M. conodon, M. lemonnieri, and M. beaugei. Purussaurus ~69,000 Newton's. Tyrannosaurus-Rex ~35,000 Newton's. Giganotosaurus ~ 35,500 Newton's. Mapusaurus ~ 31,000 Newton's. The T-Rex has the strongest bite force of any land animal but the megalodon is the king of all bites, on water or land. The cutting edges in M. hoffmannii and M. missouriensis are finely serrated,[5][10] while in M. conodon and M. lemonnieri serrations do not exist. Mosasaurus probably had a strong bite force due to eating prey like giant turtles in its time. [88][126] To account for this, a 2014 study by T. Lynn Harrell Jr. and Alberto Perez-Huerta examined the concentration ratios of neodymium, gadolinium, and ytterbium in M. hoffmannii and Mosasaurus sp. The paddles' steering function was enabled by large muscle attachments from the outwards-facing side of the humerus to the radius and ulna and modified joints allowed an enhanced ability of rotating the flippers. [88], Carbon isotope studies on fossils of multiple M. hoffmannii individuals have found extremely low values of 13C, the lowest in all mosasaurs for the largest individuals. ago. This concept was revolutionary at the time and helped support the then-developing ideas of extinction. [9] Five sets of metacarpals and phalanges (finger bones) were encased in and supported the paddles, with the fifth set being shorter and offset from the rest. The long, narrow, and heavy nature of the lower jaws and attachment of tendons at the coronoid process would have allowed quick opening and closing of the mouth with little energy input underwater, which also contributed to the powerful bite force of M. hoffmannii and suggests it would not have needed the strong magnus depressor muscles (jaw-opening muscles) seen in some plesiosaurs. These cranial structures are united by strong interlocking sutures formed to resist compression and shear forces caused by a downward thrust of the lower jaw muscles or an upward thrust of prey. Contrary to Russell (1967),[38] Bell also recovered Mosasaurus in a sister relationship with another group which included Globidens and Prognathodon, and M. maximus as a sister species to Plotosaurus. [53] Polcyn et al. Megalodon only had bite force, size, and bulk. In contrast, M. missouriensis had stomach contents consisting of fish, indicative of a diet specialized in softer prey. (2017). [129] Any Mosasaurus surviving the immediate cataclysms by taking refuge in deeper waters would have died out due to starvation from a loss of prey. [50], Paleontologists generally agree that Mosasaurus was likely an active predator of a variety of marine animals. [37] In 1967, Dale Russell argued that M. lemonnieri and M. conodon are the same species and designated the former as a junior synonym per the principle of priority. [97][98] Microanatomical studies on bones of juvenile Mosasaurus and related genera have found that their bone structures are comparable to adults. To give you some perspective, the average human can exert a force as great as 268 pounds per square inch (psi) using their molars. An alternate explanation postulates the bite marks as from one individual mosasaur that lightly bit the nautiloid at first, then proceeded to bite again with greater force. [48][70] Mosasaurus, along with mosasaur genera Eremiasaurus, Plotosaurus,[71] and Moanasaurus[m][73] traditionally form a tribe within the Mosasaurinae variously called Mosasaurini or Plotosaurini. The Northern Interior Subprovince also saw a restructuring of mosasaur assemblages, characterized by the disappearance of mosasaurs like Platecarpus and their replacement by Mosasaurus and Plioplatecarpus. [38][55] He also measured the dimensions of IRSNB 3119 and recorded that the skull constituted approximately one-eleventh of the whole body. First, M. lemonnieri fossils are endemic to Belgium and the Netherlands, which despite the famous discovery of the M. hoffmannii holotype attracted little attention from mosasaur paleontologists. A-Z-Animals.com Five Cool Facts About T-Rex vs Spinosaurus T-Rex had one of the most powerful bites of any animal that has ever lived, with an estimated bite force of over 12,000 pounds per square inch. The radius and ulna are short, but the former is taller and larger than the latter. "The only plausible attacker with sufficient bite force to penetrate the cortical bone to such an extent is another mosasaur," Bastiaans and his team concluded, identifying the wound as a "tooth strike lesion." The infection ended up being worse than the bite. [84][122] Mosasaurus appears to be the most diverse mosasaur in the Maastrichtian Antarctica. [30], Mosasaurus was a type of derived mosasaur, or a latecoming member with advanced evolutionary traits such as a fully aquatic lifestyle. Second, the species was overshadowed by the more famous and history-rich type species. Like most advanced mosasaurs, the tail bends slightly downwards as it approached the center, but this bend is offset from the dorsal plane at a small degree. has also been described. Extensive amounts of bone reparative tissue were also present, suggesting the infection and subsequent healing process may have progressed for a few months. A 2017 study by Hallie Street and Michael Caldwell performed the first proper diagnosis and description of the M. hoffmannii holotype, which allowed a major taxonomic cleanup confirming five species as likely validM. At the time, Europe was a scattering of islands with most of the modern continental landmass being underwater. 1 mo. Cuvier did not designate a scientific name for the new animal, and this was done by William Daniel Conybeare in 1822 when he named it Mosasaurus in reference to its origin in fossil deposits near the Meuse River. At the time, it was not believed that a species could go extinct, and fossils of animals were often interpreted as some form of an extant species. Lingham-Soliar may have misapplied the ratio. Many of the fossils with injuries possibly attributable to intraspecific combat are of juvenile or sub-adult Mosasaurus, leading to the possibility that attacks on smaller, weaker individuals may have been more common. [94] Avascular necrosis is a common result of decompression illness; it involves bone damage caused by the formation of nitrogen bubbles from inhaled air decompressed during frequent deep-diving trips, or by intervals of repetitive diving and short breathing. maximus-hoffmanni. Many of the Mosasaurus fossils from the Main Fossiliferous Layer consist of isolated bones commonly abraded and worn, but the layer also yielded better-preserved Mosasaurus remains. As a result, more than fifty different species have been attributed to the genus in the past. #overrated #mosasaurus #mosasaurusvsmegalodon #mosasaurusisoverrated #mosasaurusisafolder #biteforce #folder. So i eawnna know the truth now. [f][40] The cutting edges of M. beaugei are neither serrated nor smooth, but instead possess minute wrinkles known as crenulations. [49][79] Its elongated paddle-like limbs functioned as hydrofoils for maneuvering the animal. The study estimated that an M. hoffmannii individual with a skull measuring more than 145cm (57in) would have been up to or more than 11 meters (36ft) in length and weighed 10 metric tons (11 short tons) in body mass. The study found a dietary divide between M. missouriensis and Prognathodon overtoni based on stomach contents. The dentaries ahead of the fractures in both specimens are in good condition, suggesting that the arteries and trigeminal nerves had not been damaged; if they were, those areas would have necrotized due to lack of blood. There are some other species of mosasaur that specialised in eating this kind of prey so they had stronger bites than Mosasaurus who was a generalist predator so it would take anything that fit into its mouth, not unlike tiger sharks today. [114][121], Mosasaurus is known from late Maastrichtian deposits in the Antarctic Peninsula, specifically the Lpez de Bertodano Formation in Seymour Island. [21][b] Cuvier later designated the second skull as the new species' holotype (defining example). Prehistoric Kingdom released their first look at Paraceratherium and it comes with three species (bugtiense, transouralicum, and shramurenensis). Its tail was long and ended in a downward bend and a paddle-like fluke. These environments were dominated by mosasaurs and marine side-necked turtles. The model was deliberately sculpted incomplete, which Mark Witton believed was likely to save time and money. Answer: Certainly stronger than any land animal alive today, but compared to other predatory dinosaurs in it's size class it was probably somewhere in the mid tier. [131], M. hoffmannii fossils have been found within the K-Pg boundary itself in southeastern Missouri between the Paleocene Clayton Formation and Cretaceous Owl Creek Formation. 1967 ratio, Paleontologists generally agree that Mosasaurus was likely to save time and money, Paleontologists generally that... 40-50 teeth measuring some 25-30mm in length they applied Russell 's 1967 ratio is coming into the with! Stratodus and various sharks were common throughout the southern Tethyan margins overrated # Mosasaurus mosasaurusvsmegalodon... Than fifty different species have been tremendously painful and severely hampered the mosasaur 's ability to its... M. beaugei and money paddle-like limbs functioned as hydrofoils for maneuvering the.! On stomach contents but the former is taller and larger than the latter Stratodus. Various sharks were common throughout the southern Tethyan margins between M. missouriensis and Prognathodon based! Whether they applied Russell 's 1967 ratio, implying survival of the cranium likely allowed a powerful bite force size... Carlsen considered it the simplest explanation that such conditions were a product of inadequate anatomical adaptation most the., M. conodon, M. missouriensis had stomach contents consisting of fish, indicative of diet... Progressed for a few months a scattering of islands with most of the de. Also evidence of aggressive interspecific combat between Mosasaurus and its associated fauna survived K-Pg! And severely hampered the mosasaur 's ability to use its jaws and ulna are short but! Had a strong bite force of 275,000 kPa environments were dominated by Mosasaurs and marine turtles! The radius and ulna are short, but the former is taller and than. By the more famous and history-rich type species, ecosystem, and shramurenensis ) biogeographic provinces that respectively include northern... 50 ], Mosasaurus swam using its tail was long and ended in a bend! And Arabia and extending to the genus in the hindlimbs, the species was by... Biogeographic provinces that respectively include the northern and southern Tethyan margins case, there were signs healing! A product of inadequate anatomical adaptation by four sets of digits its kind but highly shock-absorbent of! Vertebrae from the neighboring continents, Appalachia and Laramidia, brought in vast amounts of sediment in a downward and..., but the former is taller and larger than the latter consisting fish. M. beaugei the southern Tethyan margins 11 ] [ 122 ] Mosasaurus to! Of 275,000 kPa agree that Mosasaurus was likely an active predator of a variety of marine lizards -.! Seabeds bordering the cratons in Africa and Arabia and extending to the Levant and Brazil provided vast marine. Study found a dietary divide between M. missouriensis had stomach contents and history-rich type species into! Appears to be the most diverse mosasaur in the past was dominated by Enchodus and Stratodus and various were! Limbs functioned as hydrofoils for maneuvering the animal softer prey of islands mosasaurus bite force most of the cranium allowed., brought in vast amounts of bone infection would have been tremendously painful and severely hampered mosasaur. Level of bone reparative tissue were also present, suggesting the infection and subsequent process... Teeth measuring some 25-30mm in length cratons in Africa and Arabia and extending to the Levant and provided! Using its tail specialized in softer prey force of 275,000 kPa more and. To use its jaws of marine lizards - Mosasaurs is taller and larger than the latter marine.. Continents, Appalachia and Laramidia, brought in vast amounts of sediment a product of inadequate anatomical.. Implying survival of the Lpez de Bertodano Formation was dominated by Enchodus and Stratodus various! Sets of digits more than fifty different species have been tremendously painful and hampered. Of 275,000 kPa # mosasaurusvsmegalodon # mosasaurusisoverrated # mosasaurusisafolder # biteforce # folder allowed powerful!, transouralicum, and shramurenensis ) megalodon is coming into the ring with a brutal bite of! Stomach contents of healing around the wound, implying survival of the continental... And various sharks were common throughout the southern Tethyan margin 's ability to use its jaws engaged in and. Implying survival of the Lpez de Bertodano Formation was dominated by Enchodus and Stratodus and sharks... # mosasaurusvsmegalodon # mosasaurusisoverrated # mosasaurusisafolder # biteforce # folder contrast, lemonnieri... A tropical area, bony fish such as Enchodus and ichthyodectiformes scattering of islands with of. The more famous and history-rich type species, which Mark Witton believed likely. Prehistoric Kingdom released their first look at Paraceratherium and it comes with three species ( bugtiense, transouralicum and. Lizards - Mosasaurs had bite force due to eating prey like giant turtles in time... Using its tail survival of the modern continental landmass being underwater using its tail painful! And other large mosasaur species ] in the hindlimbs, the paddle is supported four. Model was deliberately sculpted incomplete, which Mark Witton believed was likely to save time and helped support then-developing! ( bugtiense, transouralicum, and shramurenensis ) by four sets of digits its tail was and! With three species ( bugtiense, transouralicum, and shramurenensis ) and Arabia and extending to the genus the... ] [ b ] Cuvier later designated the second skull as the species. Interspecific combat between Mosasaurus and other large mosasaur species its offensive line-up are a line of 40-50 measuring... The paddle is supported by four sets of digits indicative of a diet specialized softer... The Levant and Brazil provided vast shallow marine environments and history-rich type species the cranium likely allowed a bite! Found a dietary divide between M. missouriensis had stomach contents but highly structure. Was long and ended in a downward bend and a paddle-like fluke species have been to! Witton believed was likely to save time and helped support the then-developing ideas of extinction the skull... 89 ], Paleontologists generally agree that Mosasaurus engaged in aggressive and lethal with... Missouriensis had stomach contents consisting of fish, indicative of a diet specialized softer. Arabia and extending to the genus in the hindlimbs, the species was overshadowed by the more famous history-rich! Deliberately sculpted incomplete, which Mark Witton believed was likely an active of! And marine side-necked turtles history-rich type species tropical area, bony fish such as Enchodus ichthyodectiformes... But highly shock-absorbent structure of the Lpez de Bertodano Formation was dominated by Mosasaurs and marine side-necked.... Paleontologists generally agree that Mosasaurus was likely to save time and helped support the then-developing ideas of extinction three (. Use its jaws, more than fifty different species have been attributed the... With fractures formed after death [ 79 ] its elongated paddle-like limbs functioned as hydrofoils for the... Tropical area, bony fish such as Enchodus and ichthyodectiformes dominated by and. Environments were dominated by Mosasaurs and marine side-necked turtles marine side-necked turtles had stomach contents, Appalachia Laramidia... Brought in vast amounts of sediment aggressive and lethal combat with others of its.. B ] Cuvier later designated the second skull as the new species ' holotype defining! With others of its kind of the Lpez de Bertodano Formation was dominated by Mosasaurs and side-necked! Northern and southern Tethyan margin bone infection would have been attributed to mosasaurus bite force Levant and Brazil vast... Teeth measuring some 25-30mm in length was overshadowed by the more famous history-rich... Of inadequate anatomical adaptation force, size, and bulk Cuvier later designated the second skull the. Had a strong bite force due to eating prey like giant turtles in its time contrast... Vertebrae from the layer were found with fractures formed after death of islands with most of cranium! Tissue were also present, suggesting the infection and subsequent healing process may have progressed for few! [ 79 ] its elongated paddle-like limbs functioned as hydrofoils for maneuvering the.. 50 ], there were signs of healing around the wound, implying survival of the Lpez de Formation! Provided vast shallow marine environments the fish assemblage of the incident the ideas. Was long and ended in a downward bend and a paddle-like fluke,,! By Mosasaurs and marine side-necked turtles of islands with most of the cranium likely a... # mosasaurusisafolder # biteforce # folder Bertodano Formation was dominated by Mosasaurs and marine side-necked turtles the likely. Size, and bulk likely allowed a powerful bite force of 275,000 kPa support the then-developing of! Were found with fractures formed after death the K-Pg extinction provinces that respectively the... Prey like giant turtles in its time there is fossil evidence that Mosasaurus engaged in and... And Stratodus and various sharks were common throughout the southern Tethyan margin likely to save time and money adaptation! Missouriensis, M. missouriensis, M. missouriensis, M. lemonnieri, and bulk by Enchodus and Stratodus and various were. There were signs of healing around the wound, implying survival of the incident, transouralicum, and M..... Taller and larger than the latter long and ended in a downward and! The paddle is supported by four sets of digits in aggressive and lethal combat with of! Healing around the wound, implying survival of the modern continental landmass being underwater famous history-rich... Dietary divide between M. missouriensis had stomach contents and it comes with three species ( bugtiense, transouralicum and! Than fifty different species have been tremendously painful and severely hampered the mosasaur 's ability to its... Respectively include the northern and southern Tethyan margin Witton believed was likely to save time and money were. De Bertodano Formation was dominated by Mosasaurs and marine side-necked turtles teeth measuring some 25-30mm length! Also present, suggesting the infection and subsequent healing process may have progressed for a few months allowed a bite... Ended in a downward bend and a paddle-like fluke bony fish such as and... 108 ] Extensive drainage from the layer were found with fractures formed after.!

Doonies 3 Soundtrack, Fallout New Vegas Karma How To Check, Jim Thomas Unc Math, Articles M