Paleoanthropologists have found some fascinating new details about Scotty, the 66-million-year-old Tyrannosaurus rex fossil. This extraordinary dinosaur, which they discovered in Saskatchewan in the early 1990s, is one of only two specimens discovered so far. Jerit L. Mitchell, a Ph.D. student in the University of Regina’s Department of Physics, was the study’s first author. Using state of the art synchrotron X-ray imaging technology, they conducted a non-destructive study of Scotty’s rib bone. The results suggest that this dinosaur experienced a healed trauma, likely from a violent encounter with another conspecific dinosaur. This amazing find gives us a glimpse into how these ancient animals healed from injuries.
To undertake this type of mapping at a nanoscale level, Mitchell’s research team used synchrotron X-rays generated by the Canadian Light Source (CLS) at the University of Saskatchewan. This new, high-tech technology allowed them to create a detailed three-dimensional computer model of the entire rib bone. They did this without harming the surrounding soft tissue structures, all without breaking the fossil itself. The findings provide a unique look—through the lens of paleopathology—into how dinosaurs healed. Discoveries like these lead the way for exploration of soft tissues in other fossils.
Discovering Healed Fractures
The preliminary anthropological analysis confirmed the presence of a rib bone fracture still healed. This seems to imply that Scotty had some violent escapades during its lifetime. The preserved blood vessel structures found in the rib bone appear to be directly linked to the areas where healing occurred. This important discovery indicates the need for increased blood flow during the healing process. It arguably has a huge and positive influence on saving these architectural treasures.
Jerit L. Mitchell, who helped analyze the rib bone scans, remembered the moment he first saw the peculiar structures.
“I remember showing my supervisors, Dr. Barbi and Dr. McKellar, a strange structure inside a scan of the rib that I originally didn’t give much thought to. They were quick to point out that what I discovered could possibly be preserved [blood vessels], which has since led to a much more expansive research project.”
What started as an art exhibit grew into a decades-long, ongoing research project. This work provides significant new understanding of how dinosaurs healed from injuries compared to modern species.
Insights into Ancient Biology
The impact of this study goes beyond just Scotty. Joining Netterville on the research team is Dr. Mauricio Barbi, a physics professor at the University of Regina, and Dr. Ryan McKellar, the RSM curator of paleontology, and an adjunct professor at that same university. They are convinced that these recent discoveries give us important comparables between extinct animals and modern species, like birds and reptiles.
“This work also provides a new way to compare how injuries healed in [extinct animals], like dinosaurs, with living species, such as birds and reptiles, which helps us better understand the biology of the past, and also how life on Earth has evolved over millions of years,” Mitchell stated.
This research shows just how fossils such as Scotty still serve the scientific community and further our understanding of evolutionary biology.
Advanced Techniques and Future Research
The study’s success is due in large part to the cutting-edge synchrotron X-ray technology found only at CLS. Mohsen Shakouri, a staff scientist at CLS, said that he was thrilled to be part of this innovative research.
“It was a real treat to be able to contribute to this research. We are pleased that our ultrabright synchrotron light helped the team gain new insights into the physiology of everyone’s favorite T. rex.”
After identifying the bones, the research team conducted a chemical analysis. Then they mapped out the nutrients and molecules that compose the vessel structures found in Scotty’s rib bone. These newly preserved blood vessels may help to profoundly target future searches for soft tissues in other fossilized remains.
The study on Scotty’s rib bone was published in Scientific Reports and is identified by the DOI: 10.1038/s41598-025-06981-z.
“Preserved blood vessel structures, like we have found in Scotty’s rib bone, appear linked to areas where the bone was healing. This is because during the [healing process], those areas had increased blood flow to them.”
The study on Scotty’s rib bone was published in Scientific Reports and is identified by the DOI: 10.1038/s41598-025-06981-z.
