Swedish study proves dinosaurs ate grass
A Swedish researcher has found traces of grass in the fossilized dung of dinosaurs, proving that grass existed on Earth much earlier than previously believed and changing beliefs about dinosaurs' diets, a new study published on Friday showed.
"This is food for thought, so to speak," researcher Caroline Strömberg of
the Swedish Museum of Natural History told AFP.
Until now, scientists believed that grass first appeared on Earth some 55 million years ago, and that herbivorous dinosaurs grazed on other plants.
But together with two Indian researchers, Strömberg studied the fossilized
dung of sauropods, or large, long-necked herbivorous dinosaurs, and found traces of grass, proving that it existed 65 million years ago.
"We've always believed that Earth was grass-free at the time of the dinosaurs. This has always fascinated people because grass is such an important part of our ecosystem. Now we'll have to rethink a lot of things," she said.
Strömberg's findings were published in Friday's edition of the scientific
journal Science.
AFP
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"This is food for thought, so to speak," researcher Caroline Strömberg of
the Swedish Museum of Natural History told AFP.
Until now, scientists believed that grass first appeared on Earth some 55 million years ago, and that herbivorous dinosaurs grazed on other plants.
But together with two Indian researchers, Strömberg studied the fossilized
dung of sauropods, or large, long-necked herbivorous dinosaurs, and found traces of grass, proving that it existed 65 million years ago.
"We've always believed that Earth was grass-free at the time of the dinosaurs. This has always fascinated people because grass is such an important part of our ecosystem. Now we'll have to rethink a lot of things," she said.
Strömberg's findings were published in Friday's edition of the scientific
journal Science.
AFP
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