Giant fishing dinosaurs: Uncovering Spinosaurus and Baryonyx – with David Hone

The speaker, Dave Hone, a paleontologist from Queen Mary University of London, introduces the topic of giant fishing dinosaurs, focusing on Spinosaurus and its relatives. He discusses his expertise in dinosaur behavior, particularly predation, feeding ecology, and communication. Hone also shares anecdotes from his fieldwork, including discovering dinosaur eggs in China and his role in naming numerous dinosaurs and pterosaurs. The narrative delves into the history of Spinosaurus, from its initial description by Ernst Stromer in 1915 to the tragic loss of the original fossil during a bombing raid in 1945. The importance of Baryonyx in understanding Spinosaurus is highlighted, as it provided a more complete picture of the species.

The presentation continues with an examination of Baryonyx, a significant find that helped paleontologists infer the appearance and anatomy of Spinosaurus. Hone describes the physical characteristics of Baryonyx, including its skull, jaw, and teeth, and how these features are distinct from other theropods. The discovery of fish scales within the Baryonyx skeleton provides direct evidence of its piscivorous diet. The lecture also touches on the global distribution of spinosaurids, with finds across North Africa, Europe, Brazil, and Asia, and the ongoing debates about species identification due to the fragmentary nature of the fossils.

Hone explores the hypothesis that Spinosaurus and other spinosaurs had an aquatic affinity, likely preying on fish. This idea is supported by the crocodile-like characteristics of their teeth and the discovery of fish remains within Baryonyx. However, the evidence also suggests that spinosaurs had a varied diet, including dinosaurs and pterosaurs. The lecture presents physical evidence such as fish scales found within Baryonyx and a pterosaur vertebra with a tooth embedded in it, indicating a diverse diet for these dinosaurs.

The talk shifts to the early 2010s when new Spinosaurus material led to a revised interpretation of the dinosaur. The discovery of a more complete skeleton suggested that Spinosaurus had short legs and a front-heavy body, hinting at a possible quadrupedal stance. Further discoveries, including a detailed tail, prompted the hypothesis that Spinosaurus was an aquatic predator with a large fin for swimming. However, Hone points out several issues with this theory, including isotopic evidence suggesting a varied diet and the impracticality of the large sail-like structure for an aquatic lifestyle.

Hone critically examines the idea of Spinosaurus as a fast swimmer, presenting a scientific analysis that compares the dinosaur's skull shape to those of crocodiles, other theropods, and aquatic reptiles. The analysis concludes that Spinosaurus and Baryonyx have more in common with terrestrial dinosaurs than with aquatic species. The lecture also addresses the impracticality of Spinosaurus' large sail and other physical traits for efficient swimming, suggesting that the tail fin may serve more for signaling than for swimming.

The speaker proposes an alternative view of Spinosaurus as a wading predator, likening it to a heron or stork that feeds on a variety of prey around the water's edge. Hone discusses the dinosaur's skull and neck adaptations, which are more suited for striking down at prey rather than swimming. Isotopic data also support a varied diet of both terrestrial and aquatic animals. The lecture suggests that Spinosaurus could move between water bodies in search of food, potentially digging for buried lungfish and scavenging carcasses.

Hone addresses the possibility of multiple spinosaurid species coexisting in the same environment, drawing parallels with modern ecosystems where multiple crocodile species live together. He discusses recent discoveries of new spinosaurid species, including two from the Isle of Wight, and how the similarities in size and morphology do not necessarily indicate a single species. The lecture concludes with the acknowledgment that while much has been learned, many questions remain open, and the field eagerly anticipates future discoveries.

In the concluding section, Hone summarizes the current understanding of spinosaurids as large carnivores with a preference for fish but not specialized fish eaters. He emphasizes the need for new fossil discoveries to advance research and invites future paleontologists to contribute to the field. Hone also thanks his collaborators and provides resources for further information, including his books, videos, podcasts, and social media presence.