Mating injuries lead scientists to identify female dinosaurs

Mating Injuries Reveal Clues to Female Dinosaurs

Traumatic bone injuries in the tails of duckbilled dinosaurs have led scientists to a groundbreaking discovery, enabling them to identify female dinosaur bones.

For decades, palaeontologists have struggled to distinguish between female and male dinosaurs. However, an international team of researchers, including those from Queen's, has made a significant breakthrough by analyzing hadrosaurs, a successful group of herbivorous dinosaurs.

Using statistical analysis and computer simulations, the team found that a common pattern of bone fractures in the dinosaurs' tails was likely caused by mating, where the male dinosaur would crush the female's backbones.

Dr Filippo Bertozzo began studying duckbill dinosaur pathologies for his PhD research at Queen's.

Author's summary: Scientists identify female dinosaurs through mating injuries.

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Queen's University Belfast Queen's University Belfast — 2025-11-04

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