"Predators Targeted Long-Necked Reptiles, Fossils Reveal"
Fossil evidence confirms that the long necks of the ancient marine reptiles, Tanystropheus, made them vulnerable to predators, with bite marks found on the necks of the fossils providing the first direct proof of this long-suspected evolutionary disadvantage. The study found that the unique necks of Tanystropheus, composed of 13 extremely elongated vertebrae and strut-like ribs, likely possessed stiffened necks and waited to ambush their prey. However, their predators apparently also took advantage of the long neck for their own gain, resulting in decapitation. The findings offer gruesome and exceedingly rare evidence for predator-prey interactions in the fossil record going back over 240 million years ago.