Study sheds light on tooth evolution of early dinosaur

A new study published recently in the journal PLOS ONE describes tooth histology and development of ornithischian dinosaur Changchunsaurus parvus in the mid-Cretaceous period.

The research, led by a team of Jilin University, revealed the presence of wavy enamel, which is the phylogenetically earliest occurrence of this type of tissue, according to Chen Jun, director of the team.

This is the first time that such a structure has been found after the large duck-billed dinosaurs, and the structure would enhance the teeth and make them more wear-resisting for cutting and chewing plants.

"The research is of great significance to conduct the study of the evolution of dinosaur and the relation between the dinosaur's teeth, feeding habits and living environment," said Chen.

Changchunsaurusparvus, the first complete dinosaur skeleton and a new genus discovered 50 kilometers southwest to Changchun, capital city of Jilin province, was named after Changchun by the researchers from Jilin University Museum.