Researchers from the University of Bristol and the Natural History Museum in London have claimed to find how different species of dinosaurs lived alongside with one another in prehistoric ecosystems.

According to researchers, different sauropod species, which were the largest land animals of all time, co-existed in the same environment because their diets were different.

The Morrison Formation, which is a distinctive sequence of Upper Jurassic sedimentary rock, contained over 10 species of sauropod dinosaurs whereas modern Africa is known for only one gigantic species, the elephant.

To investigate the procedure of feeding, researchers studied the skulls, neck muscle and jaws of Camarasaurus, a species of sauropods that was most common of the giant sauropods to be found in North America, and Diplodocus, sauropods species that existed in today's western North America.

According to a researcher, David Button, "Our results show that although neither could chew, the skulls of both dinosaurs were sophisticated cropping tools. Camarasaurus had a robust skull and strong bite, which would have allowed it to feed on tough leaves and branches".

Button said that Diplodocus' delicate skull would have allowed it to eat softer foods like plants. Strong neck muscles of the species would have helped it to remove plant material through head's movements. As per the study, the two dinosaur species had different diets that would have allowed them to live together in the same environment.

With the help of a series of biomechanical measurements, the researchers have found that other sauropod species would also have different diets.

According to a co-author of the study, Professor Emily Rayfield, differences in diet allow modern animals to co-exist. When two animals' diets are different, it reduces competition for food, Rayfield said.

A researcher, Paul Barrett from Natural History Museum, said the study has provided insights into mechanisms supporting species-richness in other animal communities.