新的研究表明,基于骨环的恐龙年龄估计数可能不准确,因为鳄鱼每年多发环。 New study suggests dinosaur age estimates based on bone rings may be inaccurate due to multiple rings per year in crocodiles.

一项新的研究挑战了一种长期持有的信念,即通过用骨头计数生长圈可以准确地确定恐龙的年龄,因为研究人员发现,尼罗河鳄每年可形成多个圈——两年内最多可达5个。 A new study challenges the long-held belief that dinosaur ages can be accurately determined by counting growth rings in bones, as researchers found Nile crocodiles can form multiple rings per year—up to five in two years. 南非一家设施的科学家利用抗生素标记和微观分析发现,鳄鱼、鸟类和其他爬行动物的增长模式可能反映周期性增长,而不是年周期性增长。 Using antibiotic markers and microscopic analysis, scientists at a South African facility discovered that growth patterns in crocodiles, birds, and other reptiles may reflect cyclical growth rather than annual cycles. 虽然研究结果表明,有些恐龙可能比以前想象的还年轻,但专家们告诫说,证据并不是结论性的,而生长环仍然是研究恐龙发育的有用工具,尽管不完善。 While the findings suggest some dinosaurs may have been younger than previously thought, experts caution that the evidence isn't conclusive, and growth rings remain a useful, though imperfect, tool for studying dinosaur development. 该研究报告发表在《科学报告》上。 The study was published in Scientific Reports.