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Study Reveals How Dinosaur Injuries Identify Females

11/7/2025

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Summary

Story summary

A new study led by Dr. Filippo Bertozzo suggests healed injuries on hadrosaur tails can distinguish female dinosaurs from males.
Researchers analyzed nearly 500 fossils to identify patterns of damage likely caused by mating behavior.
The study notes that soft tissues do not fossilize, making these injuries a potential diagnostic tool.
Published in iScience, the findings could enable reliable identification of female fossils and potentially reshape debates in dinosaur taxonomy.

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Story summary

A new study led by Dr. Filippo Bertozzo suggests healed injuries on hadrosaur tails can distinguish female dinosaurs from males.
Researchers analyzed nearly 500 fossils to identify patterns of damage likely caused by mating behavior.
The study notes that soft tissues do not fossilize, making these injuries a potential diagnostic tool.
Published in iScience, the findings could enable reliable identification of female fossils and potentially reshape debates in dinosaur taxonomy.