A Jurassic dinosaur species was born with teeth and later lost them, offering new clues about modern birds' tooth loss.
Dinosaurs lost their teeth as they aged
A recent study examined a series of theropod dinosaur fossils of different ages, from juveniles to adults. These fossils showed that the Jurassic species was born with teeth but lost them as it matured.Modern birds may have inherited this trait
The study suggests that the complete loss of teeth in modern birds could be linked to their theropod ancestors. Birds are considered descendants of theropod dinosaurs, making this finding particularly relevant to understanding avian evolution.Findings were reported by multiple sources
Several media outlets covered the study, highlighting its potential to explain evolutionary changes in birds. The research emphasizes the importance of studying dinosaur fossils to understand the development of modern species.Paleontologist discusses the surprising results
Éric Buffetaut, a paleontologist, was interviewed by Futura-Sciences to explain the most surprising aspects of the discovery. He noted that the idea of dinosaurs losing their teeth as they grew was unexpected and adds a new layer to the understanding of dinosaur biology.
