A recent archaeological discovery proves that experiments with plant-based diets began long before the first humans appeared. Scientists have identified one of the earliest land creatures that consciously traded meat for ferns.
When the first vertebrates began to emerge from the water onto land about 370 million years ago, they primarily fed on each other for millions of years. Meanwhile, plants thrived without natural predators. However, evolution quickly found a way to tap into this energy source.
According to a study reported by ScienceAlert, scientists have discovered a new species – Tyrannoroter heberti. This creature, which lived 307 million years ago, became one of the first “innovators” to incorporate plants into its daily diet. Interestingly, throughout different eras, nature created remarkable adaptations and defenses: from tiny herbivores to giants like the , which we previously covered.
Ancient Dentistry
Despite its fearsome name, Tyrannoroter was quite small – about 25 centimeters long. The real sensation was hidden inside its skull, which was found in a fossilized tree stump in Nova Scotia, Canada.
Using high-resolution micro-CT scanning, paleontologists discovered a unique feature: in addition to the regular teeth along its jaws, the animal had specialized “dental batteries” on its palate.
These bony plates functioned like millstones, grinding tough leaves and stems of ancient plants.
“This is one of the oldest known four-legged animals that began eating its ‘vegetables,'” notes Aryan Mann, an evolutionary biologist at the Field Museum in Chicago. Such discoveries help scientists reconstruct past ecosystems, like the recently found remains of a in Peru, shedding light on life in ancient oceans.
Fossilized skull of Tyrannoroter
From Insects to Greens: The Evolution of Diet
Scientists suggest that the shift to vegetarianism was gradual. Initially, the ancestors of Tyrannoroter used their strong teeth to crush the hard shells of insects. Over time, they “realized” that the same mechanism was perfect for shredding ferns. This discovery proves that our passion for plant-based food has roots stretching back 300 million years – from the first herbivorous creature to modern dishes featuring .
Why Does This Matter to Us?
This discovery rewrites the timeline of herbivory. It turns out that as soon as animals firmly established themselves on land, they almost immediately began to utilize plant resources. This laid the foundation for the entire subsequent evolution of terrestrial ecosystems, of which we are a part.
