Tag

Sauropod Dinosaurs

All articles tagged with #sauropod dinosaurs

"Titanosaurs: Earth's Largest Land Animals with Reptile and Mammal Traits"
paleontology1 year ago

"Titanosaurs: Earth's Largest Land Animals with Reptile and Mammal Traits"

Titanosaurs, a lesser known group of sauropod dinosaurs, were the largest land animals on Earth, with nearly 100 species that varied greatly in size. Recent discoveries have revealed that they had a unique way of life, merging reptile and mammal characteristics. They originated in the Early Cretaceous Period and thrived on all seven continents, with evidence suggesting rapid growth rates similar to mammals. Fossil findings also indicate that titanosaurs had a diverse diet and high tooth-replacement rates, contributing to their biological success. If not for the asteroid impact 66 million years ago, these long-lived and diverse creatures would likely have continued to thrive.

"Titanosaurs: Earth's Largest Land Animals with a Unique Blend of Reptile and Mammal Traits"
paleontology1 year ago

"Titanosaurs: Earth's Largest Land Animals with a Unique Blend of Reptile and Mammal Traits"

Titanosaurs, a lesser known group of sauropod dinosaurs, were the largest land animals on Earth, with over 100 species that varied greatly in size. Recent discoveries have revealed that they combined reptile and mammal traits, such as rapid growth rates and high body temperatures, to thrive on all seven continents. Titanosaurs had a hands-off parenting style, and evidence suggests they reached their enormous adult sizes in just a few decades. Their prodigious appetites for plants and diverse diets contributed to their biological success. Unfortunately, they were among the victims of the asteroid impact that ended the age of dinosaurs.

Unearthing a Colossal and Unusual New Dinosaur: A Key Puzzle Piece in Evolution
science2 years ago

Unearthing a Colossal and Unusual New Dinosaur: A Key Puzzle Piece in Evolution

Paleontologists have discovered a new species of dinosaur, named Garumbatitan morellensis, in Morella, Spain. Belonging to the sauropod group, the remains of this colossal dinosaur were found in the Sant Anti de la Vespa fossil site and include vertebrae over one meter wide and a femur that could reach two meters in length. The discovery highlights the complexity of the evolutionary history of sauropods, with species related to lineages in Asia and North America.

The Rise of the Titans: Evolution of the Largest Dinosaurs.
science2 years ago

The Rise of the Titans: Evolution of the Largest Dinosaurs.

A new study by Adelphi University reveals that sauropod dinosaurs, including Brachiosaurus and Apatosaurus, achieved their record-breaking sizes over time through around three dozen instances of independent evolution over the course of 100 million years around the globe. The study contradicts Cope's rule, which suggests that animals' size evolves over time, and instead sees animals achieving different body sizes depending on their ecological context and whatever niches happened to be available. The next step in the research is to untangle why certain lineages evolved their super-giant sizes while others didn't.