Mosasaur - Wikipedia [50] The species likely hunted near the ocean surface as an ambush predator, using its large two-dimensionally adapted eyes to more effectively spot and capture prey. Because soft tissue like muscles do not easily fossilize, reconstruction of the musculature was largely based on the structure of the skull, muscle scarring on the skull, and the musculature in extant monitor lizards. There is no evidence for live birth in Mosasaurus itself, but it is known in a number of other mosasaurs;[97] examples include a skeleton of a pregnant Carsosaurus,[97] a Plioplatecarpus fossil associated with fossils of two mosasaur embryos,[98] and fossils of newborn Clidastes from pelagic (open ocean) deposits. [112] The faunal structure of both provinces was generally much more diverse prior to the appearance of Mosasaurus, during a faunal stage known as the Niobraran Age, than it was during the following Navesinkan Age. This fish was much longer than the length of the mosasaur's skull, which measured 66 centimeters (26in) in length, confirming that M. missouriensis consumed prey larger than its head by dismembering and consuming bits at a time. The third case was determined to be caused by a form of arthritis based on the formation of smooth bridging between fused vertebrae. In contrast, M. missouriensis had stomach contents consisting of fish, indicative of a diet specialized in softer prey. This rigid but highly shock-absorbent structure of the cranium likely allowed a powerful bite force. (2017). [97][98] Microanatomical studies on bones of juvenile Mosasaurus and related genera have found that their bone structures are comparable to adults. These environments were dominated by mosasaurs and marine side-necked turtles. [85] M. sp. [5][50] In M. hoffmannii, this snout is blunt,[5] while in M. lemonnieri it is pointed. [129] Any Mosasaurus surviving the immediate cataclysms by taking refuge in deeper waters would have died out due to starvation from a loss of prey. In M. hoffmannii, the top margin of the dentary is slightly curved upwards;[5] this is also the case with the largest specimens of M. lemonnieri, although more typical skulls of the species have a near-perfectly straight jawline. [76] In 2014, Konishi and colleagues expressed a number of concerns with the reliance on Bell's study. The parietal foramen in Mosasaurus, which is associated with the parietal eye, is the smallest among mosasaurids. Due coexistence with other large mosasaurs like Prognathodon, which specialized in robust prey, M. missouriensis likely specialized more on prey best consumed using cutting-adapted teeth in an example of niche partitioning. The swimming style was likely sub-carangiform, which is exemplified today by mackerels.
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