Significant findings of 183 million-year-old skin suggest that ancient marine reptiles, known as plesiosaurs, have previously unknown adaptability – the combination of smooth and scaly skin may give them an advantage in swimming and sailing the seabed.
The analysis, published in current biology, marks the first detailed examination of villous soft tissue, providing unprecedented insights into how these long-necked ocean predators move through prehistoric oceans.
Rare glimpses of prehistoric skin
“Fossil soft tissues (such as skin and viscera) are unusually rare,” explained Miguel Marx, a doctoral student at Lund University and lead author of the study. “We used a wide range of techniques to identify smooth skin in the tail area as well as Scale along the back edge of the slipper. This gives us unparalleled insight into the appearance and biology of these long-term extinctions.”
The specimen was found near Holtzmaden, Germany and has been preserved in detail, even retaining the cellular structures that have survived since the early Jurassic period. Using advanced microscopy and spectral analysis, the researchers determined the scales of small triangles on smooth tail skin and slippers.
Swimming strategies reveal
This finding suggests that these marine reptiles have evolved complex dual drug coverage. During swimming, smooth skin reduces drag, while scaly scattered animals may provide better traction when moving across the rough seabed, an important advantage for predators who prey on fish and squid-like creatures.
The discovery helped solve the long-standing mysteries about the movement and hunting behavior of Violet Dragons, which confused scientists because the creatures were first studied two centuries ago.
Cell Time Capsule
“I was shocked when I saw skin cells that had been preserved for 183 million years. Marx pointed out that the unusual preservation of the cellular structures of the specimen was described.
The study revealed intact keratinocytes – specialized skin cells, and even retained the nucleus, providing an unprecedented window for the microscopic anatomy of these ancient marine reptiles. The skin structure is similar to modern marine reptiles such as sea turtles, indicating that life adaptability in the ocean is comparable.
Beyond the bones
This study represents not only a glimpse of prehistoric skin—it provides vital insight into how marine reptiles develop to dominate the ocean for more than 140 million years. The study shows that like modern marine life, Plesiosaurs has developed a special adaptation in the marine environment to perform well.
The study was conducted through international collaborations including Lund University, Uppsala University, Swedish research institute, Naturkunde-Museum Bielefeld and Urwelt-Museum Hauff.
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