Morella dinosaur fossil reveals first evidence of bacterial infection

Researchers from UNED have identified the first documented evidence of a bone reaction caused by a bacterial infection originating from a skin ulcer in a dinosaur fossil. The study, published in the journal Royal Society Open Science, focuses on a right tibia over one meter long attributed to the Iguanodon bernissartensis.

The fossil was recovered from the Mas de la Parreta site in Morella, located within the Arcillas de Morella formation. It was discovered during paleontological monitoring of clay extraction activities conducted by the company Arcillas Vega del Moll. This find provides rare insight into the health and biological responses of herbivores living approximately 125 million years ago during the Lower Cretaceous period.