There are several Respiratory diseases commonly found today in animal species. Caused by exposure to a large amount of dust, viral, bacterial, fungal, and paracytic infections, or hypersensitive reaction. Resulting in Laryngitis, tracheitis, bronchitis, and Pneumonia, which is the inflammation of the lungs.
Now imagine the surprise of the Scientist, when they discovered the fossilized remains of a Sauropod. With evidence of an ailment so severe that it left a mark in its bones.
After the initial discovery of Sauropod, in 2018 Paleontologist Cary Woodruff of the Great Plains Dinosaur Museum in Montana. While looking into it, discovered outgrowth on the Dinosaur’s neck bones.
After discussing his finding with his peers on social media. They were able to recognize the outgrowths similar to once found in birds and other reptiles with Respiratory diseases. Few scientists joined Woodruff's research into the fossils, concluding into a new research paper: The first occurrence of an avian-style respiratory infection in a non-avian dinosaur.
Pinpointing the Disease
The stage in this research was to pinpoint the Respiratory disease. As mentioned above, there are several diseases that can cause Respiratory infection. Gladly for the Woodruff and the research team, they were able to utilize the use of X-Rays, CT Scans, and thin sections o+f bone, to study the fossil’s microstructures.
But the main piece of research came when comparing the fossils with the closest relatives of dinosaurs; birds and reptiles. Even though the Dinosaurs were in question, Sauropod was considered non-avian Dinosaurs, which refers to it being not a bird.
As for its Respiratory system, it had air sacs in and around its bones structure. Based on this finding, they were able to deduce the culprit being airsacculitis. Also known as sacculitis or air sacs infection which causes severe swelling. This disease is commonly caused by viral, bacterial, or fungal infections. Similarly, chicken can attract airsacculitis through E. coli infection.
[caption id="attachment_1313" align="aligncenter" width="960"] A Fledgling Mockingbird with ruptured air sacs[/caption]
Understanding the past
Studying the disease further, it came debatable whether the disease had killed its carrier. Due to the problem being the Time of Dinosaurs was not a good time to come down with a running nose. The Sauropod in question could have fallen ill and would have been left behind by its herd because of it being slow, or the Sauropod might have become a meat-eating Dinosaur’s easy meal.
This aspect of finding a particular disease in Dinosaurs can help scientists understand the living condition of the Dinosaurs. For example; For chickens to attract airsacculitis, they have to be in a cramped environment with a high concentration of feces and eggs that can spread bacteria that causes the disease. This could hint at Sauropods and Dinosaurs as a whole, as such bacterial diseases could affect the entire nesting grounds.
Now we as humans have something in common with creatures of the past.
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