Which physiological constraint required *Liopleurodon* to remain tethered to the surface for respiration?
Answer
It possessed lungs, being a reptile
As a reptile, *Liopleurodon* had lungs, necessitating periodic surfacing to breathe, similar to modern whales or seals, which constrained its prolonged deep-sea pursuits.
Related Questions
What locomotive strategy did the four strong, paddle-like limbs of *Liopleurodon* primarily facilitate?What is the estimated maximum speed range for *Liopleurodon* based on fossil extrapolation?For an ambush predator like *Liopleurodon*, what swimming metric was considered arguably more valuable than maximum sustained speed?Which physiological constraint required *Liopleurodon* to remain tethered to the surface for respiration?How did the overall body structure of *Liopleurodon* (a pliosaur) differ from the gentler *Plesiosaurus*?What does the comparison between *Liopleurodon*'s speed and *Plesiosaurus*'s speed suggest in a simple chase?What is the primary reason the popular culture depiction of *Liopleurodon* exceeding 80 feet makes its speed implausible?What ecological niche does *Liopleurodon*'s reliance on overwhelming initial force suggest about its hunting strategy?What types of animals made up the diet of *Liopleurodon*?Which statement accurately reflects the scientific consensus regarding the actual size of *Liopleurodon*?