A fossilized plesiosaur revealed its secrets after 183 million years (photo).

The remains of dinosaurs are not just a costly acquisition, but also a field for various scientific discoveries. Soft tissues of the plesiosaur have been studied under a microscope for the first time – and the results are impressive.

The 183-million-year-old fossil, measuring 4.5 meters long and known as MH7, was discovered in a quarry near Holzmaden, Germany, in 1940. To protect the find during World War II, it was buried in the museum's garden. After that, it remained in storage for over 75 years until it was finally assembled and prepared for thorough scientific analysis in 2020.

A team led by Miguel Marx from Lund University in Sweden uncovered unique details of the plesiosaur's skin through slices and a special mineral removal procedure. The reptile exhibited areas of both smooth and scaly skin, similar to modern sea turtles.

This marks the first instance of such a detailed analysis of soft tissues from a marine reptile. Previously known plesiosaur specimens had not undergone slicing and examination. Scientists believe that the scales on the flippers provided rigidity to the fins, aiding in maneuverability and movement along the ocean floor, while the smooth skin reduced water resistance.

Earlier, "Telegraph" reported that scientists managed to find protein fragments in dinosaur fossils. DNA in these cells could not have been preserved.