"Unveiling the Ancient Secrets of Marine Reptile's Sexual Evolution"
Researchers have gained exciting insights into the sexual development of Keichousaurus, an extinct marine reptile that lived 240 million years ago. The study focused on the species' sexual dimorphism, particularly the differences in bone structure between males and females. The research revealed that males grew larger and had more robust upper arm bones compared to females. Bone tissue analysis indicated differential deposition in males, resulting in a triangular cross-section, while females retained an oval cross-section. The study also found that rapid growth to puberty and changes in bone density after puberty corresponded to shifts in energy allocation from growth to reproduction. The findings shed light on the growth and reproductive strategies of this ancient reptile.