Ancient animal behaviors traced through fossilized footprints in Oregon
Shedding Light on Prehistory with Fossilized Footprints
Explore the fascinating world of prehistoric creatures with CNN's Wonder Theory science newsletter!
Step back 50 million years, picture a shoreline in present-day Oregon, a small bird, and a wriggling worm. The bird left a trail of prints, a glimpse into the past, thanks to a dedicated undergraduate intern's work at John Day Fossil Beds National Monument. This intern, Conner Bennett, had a particular interest in ancient tracks, or trace fossils.
Trace fossils tell captivating stories, Bennett explained. "We don't have the body of this bird," he said. "It's more like we're left with its actions, its behaviors. It's like studying ghosts."
Dr. Anthony Martin, a researcher at Emory University, concurred. Trace fossils, like the ones in this study, can fill gaps in the fossil record. "This paper has tracks that are definitely from a bird of some sort, and then tracks that are definitely from a lizard," he said, emphasizing their significance.
The field of trace fossils isn't as glamorous as studying bones, but it's equally crucial, Bennett said. In 2022, he applied for a summer internship at John Day, drawn to the park's wealth of fossils from the Eocene Epoch.
Bennett used 3D modeling software to analyze four sets of fossilized bird and lizard tracks. His analysis uncovered insights about the prehistoric ecosystems of Oregon and may inspire other researchers to delve into the world of trace fossils.
A Closer Look at Fossil Tracks
Bennett's findings showed that the bird may have been hunting for food in the shallow water near the lake, much like modern plovers do today. There were even small, round indentations near the tracks that Bennett and his colleagues believed were made by the bird's beak.
The study also provided evidence of what the bird was feeding on: a squiggly trail of a worm. "We can track a feeding behavior over 50 million years," Bennett said. "That's pretty cool."
The research also revealed the existence of small lizards in the area, a groundbreaking discovery since there are no body fossils of lizards at John Day from that time period.
Dr. Danielle Fraser, head of paleobiology at the Canadian Museum of Nature, found these findings intriguing, "This is a really cool example of a behavior that would otherwise not be apparent."
Another interesting finding was a set of tracks made up of five thin, splayed digits and clawlike impressions, suggestive of some small lizard once darting along the lakeshore. This discovery is significant because there are few examples of lizard tracks in North America from this time period.
Bennett's work underscores the importance of trace fossils in understanding prehistoric ecosystems and confirms their potential in revealing animal behaviors and environmental interactions not preserved in body fossils. Sometimes, it's the small things that make the biggest difference!
Amanda Schupak is a science and health journalist in New York City.
Enrichment Data:
- The study shows how trace fossils offer a unique perspective on prehistoric life, as they often preserve details about animal behaviors and interactions that are not evident in body fossils.
- The research also emphasizes the importance of integrating new technologies, such as 3D imaging, in analyzing trace fossils to gain a more comprehensive understanding of ancient life.
- The coexistence of various species in the prehistoric ecosystem, as evidenced by the fossil tracks, suggests a near-shore lakebed environment with higher humidity and precipitation than modern Oregon. This finding challenges assumptions about the region's paleoclimate.
- The research demonstrates the potential for trace fossils to provide critical information that complements body fossils, such as details about species interactions and environmental adaptations.
- Science newsletter CNN Wonder Theory offers insights into prehistoric creatures through its coverage of fossilized footprints.
- Conner Bennett, a dedicated intern, discovered fossilized bird and lizard tracks at John Day Fossil Beds National Monument, shedding light on prehistory.
- Trace fossils, like the ones found by Bennett, can provide captivating stories about animal behaviors and help fill gaps in the fossil record.
- In 2022, Bennett applied for a summer internship at John Day, attracted by the park's wealth of Eocene Epoch fossils.
- Aside from science and environmental-science, the significance of trace fossils extends to various areas such as finance, lifestyle, technology, education-and-self-development, and even general-news and entertainment.
- Sports enthusiasts might find interest in the potential of trace fossils to reveal animal movements and behaviors, possibly offering insights into the athletic abilities of prehistoric creatures.
- The interdisciplinary nature of trace fossil research can lead togroundbreaking discoveries, providing valuable information on prehistoric ecosystems and animal behaviors, and bridging the gap between science and other fields.
