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The Palaeontology thread |
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#301 |
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These mega animals boggle the mind. Did they ever get slipped discs? Or die from just falling over?
I will post some links on this when I have more time. ![]() The famous Tyrannosaurus rex specimen 'Sue' for example has a plethora of injuries that makes one wince just thinking about it. Not really surprising when you think that T. rex had to hunt the most formidable prey that have ever existed on this planet, animals such as Triceratops - a gigantic, fast, highly manoeverable monster with enormous horns and an incredibly powerful bite to defend itself. The mind boggles!
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#302 |
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I was about to suggest that they may have been injury tolerant on account of being cold blooded and low metabolism.
But on googling, it seems there is a lot of doubt and discussion about this. https://www.google.co.uk/search?pws=...ded&gws_rd=ssl Sue's 'injuries' described on the wiki http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sue_%28dinosaur%29 |
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#303 |
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Quote:
I was about to suggest that they may have been injury tolerant on account of being cold blooded and low metabolism.
But on googling, it seems there is a lot of doubt and discussion about this. https://www.google.co.uk/search?pws=...ded&gws_rd=ssl Sue's 'injuries' described on the wiki http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sue_%28dinosaur%29 Are birds cold blooded? Nope and birds ARE simply living maniraptoran theropods. However there is still an ongoing discussion as to whether some like the absolutely colossal sauropods may have used a Mesothermic strategy to save energy - personally I doubt it but we will see as research continues. ![]() Dinosaurs avian air-sac breathing systems, eyesight, smell, superb skeletal architecture, musculature, metabolism and sheer adaptability were all far superior to us poor mammals - which is why they suppressed our evolution for so many millions of years.
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#304 |
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Well I'm not an expert apart from trying to keep abreast with Natural Science programmes.
So I just did a quick Google to see latest thinking. But I have long accepted that birds are descended from dinosaurs. (The gulls in the neighbourhood, and on my house, scare me actually. Evil, agressive buggers.) |
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#305 |
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Quote:
Well I'm not an expert apart from trying to keep abreast with Natural Science programmes.
So I just did a quick Google to see latest thinking. But I have long accepted that birds are descended from dinosaurs. (The gulls in the neighbourhood, and on my house, scare me actually. Evil, agressive buggers.) ![]() Gulls are highly aggressive birds, some are clearly bloody psychopaths!
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#306 |
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#307 |
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![]() I am not surprised at all by this and I expect Tyrannosaurs were really excellent parents as well. ![]() http://io9.com/new-evidence-suggests...cks-1610336730 http://phenomena.nationalgeographic....ant-dinosaurs/ http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2014/0...n_5616763.html An amazing discovery that perhaps all the dinosaurs - not just theropods - probably had plumage. Imagine the possibility of a feathered sauropod - it would have been a truly magnificent sight! Jurassic Park 4 is going to look even more out of date now - and with it's dumb plot and non-feathered theropods it was already shaping up to be bloody awful. What a waste of money. ![]() http://news.nationalgeographic.com/n...cales-science/ http://phenomena.nationalgeographic....n-of-dinofuzz/ http://www.scientificamerican.com/ar...like-feathers/ http://www.theguardian.com/science/l...siberia-russia http://www.newscientist.com/article/...l#.U9GiM_ldXuI |
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#308 |
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More articles and several short video interviews with Pascal Godefroit on the remarkable fluffy little neornithischian dinosaur Kulindadromeus zabaikalicus (see my previous post above).
It looks like the common ancestor of all dinosaurs was feathered right from the very beginning of their dynasty. I cannot wait to see what the palaeo-illustrators make of all this. I am really looking forward to seeing a feathered Triceratops for example. ![]() http://archosaurmusings.wordpress.co...romeus-images/ http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/science-environment-28407381 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BpoL...yJP-bh&index=6 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PlE4rz6Pil8 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jgWtD0qcydU https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RpX6lSC7Abw |
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#309 |
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Just a quick question for anyone reading this thread.
![]() I have seen many idiots on the web whining that they do not consider feathered dinosaurs 'mean' enough looking (regardless of the scientific truth of the matter). It was this moronic attitude which has led to JP4 not taking into to consideration any of the wonderful new discoveries of the last 20 years. With the above post indicating that all dinosaurs were capable of sporting plumage which do you prefer? The old inaccurate scaly look or the spectacular feathered revolution that has now arrived? It is obvious what I like as I enjoy imagining the animals as they actually were - after all a ten-ton bird of prey (the largest theropods) or a 100 ton + behemoth sporting display plumage (the largest sauropods) sounds pretty awe-inspiring to me.
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#310 |
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A couple of nice reconstructions of a member of the 8 metre Pachyrhinosaurus genus (a ceratopsian - horned dinosaur) sporting a dense winter coat.
http://i.imgur.com/vyQGY.jpg http://thomas-hopp.com/blog/wp-conte...hyWinterM1.jpg Another showing four different levels of integument in the dinosaur - the bottom one is probably now the most likely. http://fc00.deviantart.net/fs70/f/20...er-d5r6cah.png We will be seeing far more of this in the future.
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#311 |
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A magnificent new reconstruction of a Tyrannosaurus rex battling it's way through a blizzard in the depths of winter.
I just love it and it is now my new desktop background. ![]() Small version. https://s3.amazonaws.com/bw-1651cf0d...ay_2429348.jpg Large version. https://s3.amazonaws.com/bw-1651cf0d...le_2429348.jpg |
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#312 |
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Here is the new poster for Jurassic World.
http://www.radiotimes.com/uploads/im...inal/53737.png It looks even worse than I could have possibly imagined - like a very badly drawn cartoon from the early 1970's - the raptor looks like a big, slow, dumb lizard. And if what I have seen on the net is true the new T. rex is like a kid's cheap plastic toy from that same era. Compare that dull shit with the feathered dinosaur images I have posted on this very thread. Amazing how dumb Hollywood really is - I think it will be one of the worst films ever made. The original was fairly accurate for the time (apart from the bullshit about T. rex somehow not being able to see a stationary object and other minor quibbles like the dwarf spitting Dilophosaurus) but the sequels were appalling. To end my misery Jack bloody Horner (the T. rex hater) is apparently still the only palaeontologist in the whole world the studio could find to advise them - again. Rant over. I will not be watching the pile of crap that is for sure.
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#313 |
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Just enjoy the movie for entertainment. I love One Million Years BC even though it was full of dinosaurs 64 million years after they should have been wiped out and modern humans 800,000 years before they should have been around.
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#314 |
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I found a plumage covered Triceratops.
![]() It lacks the quills on the back and hindquarters of ceratopsians most reconstructions now show but more than makes up for in sheer audacity and colour. http://www.creaturespot.com/storage/...=1329779076865 |
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#315 |
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Just enjoy the movie for entertainment. I love One Million Years BC even though it was full of dinosaurs 64 million years after they should have been wiped out and modern humans 800,000 years before they should have been around.
It was quite educational is some respects as well as being a cracking film. This just sounds like another third-rate creature feature, and many dinosaur fans are not at all happy about it including most palaeontologists who see it as a wasted opportunity. It might not be as bad as it looks - but I doubt it. |
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#316 |
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I found a plumage covered Triceratops.
![]() It lacks the quills on the back and hindquarters of ceratopsians most reconstructions now show but more than makes up for in sheer audacity and colour. http://www.creaturespot.com/storage/...=1329779076865 Sorry...serious thread I know...*hangs head in shame*!😞 |
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#317 |
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Quote:
Here is the new poster for Jurassic World.
http://www.radiotimes.com/uploads/im...inal/53737.png It looks even worse than I could have possibly imagined - like a very badly drawn cartoon from the early 1970's - the raptor looks like a big, slow, dumb lizard. And if what I have seen on the net is true the new T. rex is like a kid's cheap plastic toy from that same era. Compare that dull shit with the feathered dinosaur images I have posted on this very thread. Amazing how dumb Hollywood really is - I think it will be one of the worst films ever made. The original was fairly accurate for the time (apart from the bullshit about T. rex somehow not being able to see a stationary object and other minor quibbles like the dwarf spitting Dilophosaurus) but the sequels were appalling. To end my misery Jack bloody Horner (the T. rex hater) is apparently still the only palaeontologist in the whole world the studio could find to advise them - again. Rant over. I will not be watching the pile of crap that is for sure. ![]() ................really? Reality only exists outside of LA.
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#318 |
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Just a quick question for anyone reading this thread.
![]() I have seen many idiots on the web whining that they do not consider feathered dinosaurs 'mean' enough looking (regardless of the scientific truth of the matter). It was this moronic attitude which has led to JP4 not taking into to consideration any of the wonderful new discoveries of the last 20 years. With the above post indicating that all dinosaurs were capable of sporting plumage which do you prefer? The old inaccurate scaly look or the spectacular feathered revolution that has now arrived? It is obvious what I like as I enjoy imagining the animals as they actually were - after all a ten-ton bird of prey (the largest theropods) or a 100 ton + behemoth sporting display plumage (the largest sauropods) sounds pretty awe-inspiring to me. ![]() My own view is that you should always go with the best currently available scientific data so that popular books and films should now reflect the current reality even if that upsets movie producers. And now for a link on this matter: Researchers agree that birds are dinosaurs, but when did dinosaurs start becoming birds? New excavations in Siberia reveal that one sure sign of birdiness, the presence of feathers, has very deep roots in the dino evolutionary tree; indeed, dinosaurs may have been sporting feathers from the very beginning of their existence about 240 million years ago. http://news.sciencemag.org/evolution...orted-feathers http://www.sciencemag.org/content/345/6195/451 |
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#319 |
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Is there any evidence regarding whether sauropod dinosaurs such as Diplodocus, Brachiosaurus, Argentinosaurus etc. had feathers or not?
I understand that the evidence points towards most therapods having feathers (not a surprise considering birds are just a branch of the therapods), but what is the current thinking on the other types of dinosaurs? |
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#320 |
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Is there any evidence regarding whether sauropod dinosaurs such as Diplodocus, Brachiosaurus, Argentinosaurus etc. had feathers or not?
I understand that the evidence points towards most therapods having feathers (not a surprise considering birds are just a branch of the therapods), but what is the current thinking on the other types of dinosaurs? ![]() The discovery of a feathered herbivores means that all dinosaurs had the potential to be covered in plumage. And that this integument was there right at the very beginning on their early ancestors - originally developed for insulation and display. In my opinion if the fossils are good enough we will find them in every type of dinosaur one day - even the massive sauropods
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#321 |
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...and here's a representation of a T. rex based on our current understanding: http://bloximages.newyork1.vip.townn...678b.image.jpg (courtesy of the Beijing Institute of Vertebrate Paleontology)
My own view is that you should always go with the best currently available scientific data so that popular books and films should now reflect the current reality even if that upsets movie producers. And now for a link on this matter: Researchers agree that birds are dinosaurs, but when did dinosaurs start becoming birds? New excavations in Siberia reveal that one sure sign of birdiness, the presence of feathers, has very deep roots in the dino evolutionary tree; indeed, dinosaurs may have been sporting feathers from the very beginning of their existence about 240 million years ago. http://news.sciencemag.org/evolution...orted-feathers http://www.sciencemag.org/content/345/6195/451 Yes - I posted on the early ancestry of dinosaur feathers in 307 and 308. ![]() I totally agree with you that the movies should reflect current knowledge - not Hollywood bullshit. Have a look at the links in post 311 - I just love that T. rex battling through the blizzard. ![]() That image that you linked to is actually Yutyrannus huali which was found in China (yet again) and was the first evidence that even large tyrannosaurs had feathers. There are some fantastic illustrations of this remarkable beast on the web - I will post some of them later on when I have more time.
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#322 |
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As I promised just a few very nice reconstructions of the Chinese Tyrannosaurid Yutyrannus huali.
I have to say I much prefer the look of the paler plumage for this remarkable animal. ![]() http://fc05.deviantart.net/fs70/f/20...93-d4vyz0b.png http://th06.deviantart.net/fs71/PRE/...ed-d4vetv4.jpg http://www.multi.fi/~rback/material/...Yutyrannus.jpg http://fc06.deviantart.net/fs71/i/20...na-d4w13ia.jpg http://fc05.deviantart.net/fs71/i/20...an-d4vis33.jpg |
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#323 |
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One of the discoveries of the century which I recently became aware of and which the public will never see thanks to politicians, red tape and the Dakar rally.
The only complete Megalodon skeleton in the world has been left to wear away and probably be lost forever. It measures around 18 metres and would have been over 19 metres in length and 100 tons in life - by far the most formidable animal ever to live on the planet. It was found in the Peruvian desert, in 2006 by the paleontological investigator Klaus Honninger. It and many other priceless fossil whale, shark and other prehistoric remains have been damaged or totally destroyed by the vehicles of the Dakar rally. Mt Honninger himself has also been threatened by the Colombian mafia over trying to alert the world to these fossil treasures. It has already been damaged despite his best efforts. A very depressing tale indeed. ![]() Here are few pics of it. http://img849.imageshack.us/img849/1907/3ew.jpg http://img827.imageshack.us/img827/9483/mft7.jpg http://img545.imageshack.us/img545/8201/768l.jpg http://img607.imageshack.us/img607/9007/9dh.jpg http://img842.imageshack.us/img842/1228/hpws.jpg Isurus hastalis (another huge shark) skeleton that has been totally destroyed. https://sphotos-b.xx.fbcdn.net/hphot...13765964_n.jpg Isurus pup's complete skeleton that since this photo has now gone forever. http://img824.imageshack.us/img824/5999/7hoe.jpg A prehistoric whale skeleton crushed to dust. http://img835.imageshack.us/img835/9655/ho0r.jpg A video of the man discussing the problems of Dakar but unfortunately I do not speak Spanish. ![]() http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JvlkpyNKm6g All in all how politics and greed have triumphed over one of the true wonders of the world. ![]() I am a big motorsport fan, but this is disgusting and insanity at its highest order. The history of this planet and its discoveries are what make Humanity great and yet this issue also shows how stupid Humanity is too. Who knows how many examples of the precious fossils will be found, and so to waste a prime example is disgusting really. ![]() ![]() Quote:
For anyone who doubts we are merely highly adapted lobe-finned fish I will simply repeat my spoof post about territory on the endless Israeli - Palestinian conflict.
Humanity just keeps forever banging it's head against a huge brick wall. ![]() Dear Sir. I blame those bloody tetrapods nearly 400 million years ago - crawling from the ocean onto our land and breathing our air, eating our plants and drinking fresh water that rightfully belongs to us good decent invertebrate folk. The thieving bastards. ![]() Yours in anger. Mr. Millipede esq. Pneumodesmus newmani (428 million years BP). It always strikes me though, with all this intelligence at our disposal we do use most of it for killing one and other.
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#324 |
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You beat me to it.
![]() I am not surprised at all by this and I expect Tyrannosaurs were really excellent parents as well. ![]() http://io9.com/new-evidence-suggests...cks-1610336730 http://phenomena.nationalgeographic....ant-dinosaurs/ http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2014/0...n_5616763.html An amazing discovery that perhaps all the dinosaurs - not just theropods - probably had plumage. Imagine the possibility of a feathered sauropod - it would have been a truly magnificent sight! Jurassic Park 4 is going to look even more out of date now - and with it's dumb plot and non-feathered theropods it was already shaping up to be bloody awful. What a waste of money. ![]() http://news.nationalgeographic.com/n...cales-science/ http://phenomena.nationalgeographic....n-of-dinofuzz/ http://www.scientificamerican.com/ar...like-feathers/ http://www.theguardian.com/science/l...siberia-russia http://www.newscientist.com/article/...l#.U9GiM_ldXuI It seems logical doesn't it. Although I wonder if they would have been a close family unit (aka Lions) or a group of animals just coming together to hunt larger prey at times of need. Quote:
Just a quick question for anyone reading this thread.
![]() I have seen many idiots on the web whining that they do not consider feathered dinosaurs 'mean' enough looking (regardless of the scientific truth of the matter). It was this moronic attitude which has led to JP4 not taking into to consideration any of the wonderful new discoveries of the last 20 years. With the above post indicating that all dinosaurs were capable of sporting plumage which do you prefer? The old inaccurate scaly look or the spectacular feathered revolution that has now arrived? It is obvious what I like as I enjoy imagining the animals as they actually were - after all a ten-ton bird of prey (the largest theropods) or a 100 ton + behemoth sporting display plumage (the largest sauropods) sounds pretty awe-inspiring to me. ![]() Quote:
Please see the links in my posts 307 and 308.
![]() The discovery of a feathered herbivores means that all dinosaurs had the potential to be covered in plumage. And that this integument was there right at the very beginning on their early ancestors - originally developed for insulation and display. In my opinion if the fossils are good enough we will find them in every type of dinosaur one day - even the massive sauropods ![]() Its so exciting and sad at the same time. I often think about all we have learn't and all that remain undiscovered and get sad that much of it I will never be able to know. Just think of the discoveries we will miss after our lifetimes. ![]() Sorry for being so down beat, but I honestly think about this quite a lot. Quote:
As I promised just a few very nice reconstructions of the Chinese Tyrannosaurid Yutyrannus huali.
I have to say I much prefer the look of the paler plumage for this remarkable animal. ![]() http://fc05.deviantart.net/fs70/f/20...93-d4vyz0b.png http://th06.deviantart.net/fs71/PRE/...ed-d4vetv4.jpg http://www.multi.fi/~rback/material/...Yutyrannus.jpg http://fc06.deviantart.net/fs71/i/20...na-d4w13ia.jpg http://fc05.deviantart.net/fs71/i/20...an-d4vis33.jpg Thanks for all your posts Keyser |
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#325 |
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Keyser may I ask you a couple of questions.
Firstly: How do you know so much? and where do you find all your info and links. Its amazing and thank you very much. Secondly: (Off Topic)- Strange question, but are you a motorsport fan? Its just I am a member of a Motorsport forum and a few years ago there was a poster with a username amazingly similar if not the same as yours. I just wonder if it was you. Anyway thanks for your efforts. |
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