Metoposaurus (olive green, bottom) led a bottom dwelling lifestyle, - probably to avoid competition from the larger Cyclotosaurus (blue) and phytosaur Parasuchus (ochre brown).
Researchers at the University of Bonn study the way of life of extinct amphibians. Metoposaurus (olive green, bottom) led a bottom dwelling lifestyle, - probably to avoid competition from the larger Cyclotosaurus ( blue ) and phytosaur Parasuchus (ochre brown). Illustration: Sudipta Kalita . If you need to lurk at the bottom of a water body waiting for prey, it is wise to stay motionless without resisting against the buoyant forces of water. To do so you need a kind of diving belt that helps to sink. One large amphibian species Metoposaurus krasiejowensis, that lived more than 200 million years ago, compensated for buoyancy with a heavy shoulder girdle. Researchers from the Universities of Bonn and Opole (Poland) examined the bones of the girdle under a microscope.
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