Scientists have found evidence for the first time that dinosaurs could suffer from coughs and experience the same symptoms as humans. Moreover, the disease could be fatal.
Dinosaurs may have suffered from coughing / Photo: screenshot
In 1990, the remains of a diplodocid dubbed “Dolly” were found in the United States. He lived on our planet about 150 million years ago.
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Scientists analyzed three of Dolly’s neck bones and were able to identify the first ever evidence of abnormal bony protrusions that were of unusual texture and shape.
Protrusions have been observed in areas of bone likely attached to air sacs. These sacs, connected to the lungs of reptiles, are part of the respiratory system of diplodocids.
A CT scan showed that the protrusions were made from abnormal bone, which was most likely formed due to an infection, and the infection itself could have spread to her neck bones, writes sciencetimes.com.
The scientists also speculate that Dolly’s predicament may have been caused by a fungal infection such as aspergillosis, a common respiratory disease affecting many reptiles and birds that, in severe cases, leads to a bone infection.
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The researchers explain that if “Dolly” had indeed been infected with aspergillosis, the dinosaur would have had pneumonia or flu-like symptoms such as coughing, weight loss, shortness of breath and fever.
Also, because aspergillosis can be fatal to birds if left untreated, scientists believe this is a likely explanation for Dolly’s death.
Source: Segodnya
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