Only insects with very powerful jaws could have fed on the blood of the dinosaurs, but it appears that some succeeded, according to a new study.
Scientists in China found animal fossils 165 million years with a morphology similar to modern flea, although its size was approximately ten times higher.
"These insects were much larger than modern fleas and the size of his proboscis, the elongated tubular appendage with which they drew blood, we can say that its bite would have been quite painful," said George Poinar Jr., a professor emeritus of zoology at Oregon State University and expert on extinct animals, who wrote about the discovery in the journal Current Biology .
"There will be caused a sensation similar to that caused by a hypodermic needle. Luckily existing fleas are fairly minor."
Blood Drinkers
The insect had claws that allowed him to climb up the bodies of the dinosaurs and secured.
"Probably Jurassic insects whose fossils were found in Mongolia are the ancestors of modern fleas, but more probably belonged to a separate lineage and now extinct," said Poinar.
The fossils are of the species Pseudopulex jurassicus and Pseudopulex magnus , and had flat bodies, similar to a bug or tick, plus claws that could climb the rough skin of the dinosaurs and held down while drew their blood.
Fleas are modern and more compact bodies and short antennae can move easily between the hairs or feathers of their victims.
