According to a new study conducted by the international group of paleontologists, wide ribbed fossil turtles were originally intended for injection under the ground, and not to protect.
"The reason for the development of the shell in the turtles seems obvious defense," says Dr. Tyler Lyuses from the Museum of Science and Nature in Denver, USA. - But just like the bird feathers were originally intended not for flight, amphibians were reflected first shells for defense, but for instillation To the ground to avoid the harsh climate of South Africa, where the wounded turtle proto lived. "
Early evolution Turtle shells has long been interested in scientists. The reason for the new study was the discovery made by the American-Swiss Paleontologists in 2013. During the study of the remains of the earliest ancestor of modern turtles, Eunotosaurus africanus, resembling lizards with a bloated body, specialists found out that the evolution of their T-shaped ribs occurred within 40 million years 220-260 million years ago. Unlike E. africanus later fossils Odontochelys semitestacea turned out to be morphologically identical to the turtles, but did not possess Carapaks (the dorsal of the shell).
Such a quick modification of the skeleton of these amphibians is unique, but its reasons are unknown. At the same time, the expansion of the edges reduced the length of the step, and also made it difficult to breathe reptile.
Expansion of the Ryubey may seem insignificant, but it has seriously affected the breath and speed of movement of four-legged animals. During the movement of Rybra, they support the whole body and play a decisive The role in the ventilation of the lungs, "Lison explained.
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