American researchers say they have found the first evidence of a dinosaur being affected by a respiratory sickness.Scientists say the dinosaur appears to be closely related to the well-known Diplodocus family.The creatures are believed to have lived in the Late Jurassic Period from 163 to 145 million years ago.Researchers examined the fossilized bones from a diplodocid unearthed in 1990 in the American state of Montana.They found abnormal growths on three neck bones of the dinosaur.The team, which named the remains "Dolly," says it appears the dinosaur may have suffered from a fungal infection similar to aspergillosis.It is a common respiratory sickness that often kills modern birds and reptiles.The sickness can also cause bone infections.The researchers said the condition may have killed Dolly.
