Interesting in that so many ‘classic’ saurians are now depicted as feathered or spined. Also, theres none of the big predators in there, apart from Deinonychus.
Yep, I'm not really up on this but you would imagine that large sauropods wouldn't need feathers for insulation (large animals have relatively small surface areas compared to their volumes), but I suppose they might have some for display purposes. There must be some fossil evidence for the spines?
I think the discoveries in the Burgess Shale site and in Asia have shown some really distinct fossil evidence of spines and proto-feathers, even predating our old mate Archaeopteryx!
Not by the full definition of life, generally described as a series of processes, like reproduction, respiration etc. Viruses do some of them, but not all of them. Living organisms are meant to do them all.
Very cool! (and a little bit scary)
ReplyDeleteInteresting in that so many ‘classic’ saurians are now depicted as feathered or spined. Also, theres none of the big predators in there, apart from Deinonychus.
ReplyDeleteYep, I'm not really up on this but you would imagine that large sauropods wouldn't need feathers for insulation (large animals have relatively small surface areas compared to their volumes), but I suppose they might have some for display purposes. There must be some fossil evidence for the spines?
ReplyDeleteI think the discoveries in the Burgess Shale site and in Asia have shown some really distinct fossil evidence of spines and proto-feathers, even predating our old mate Archaeopteryx!
DeleteIt's amazing, they even think that microscopic analysis of fossils can tell you the colours of some of the feathers!
DeleteVery scary indeed. I am very glad I shall never encounter any of these monsters, except on a movie screen.
ReplyDeletePaul Adams from New Zealand
and to think, they once ruled the Earth!
DeleteSo did bacteria at some point!
DeleteLooks like Viruses still do Kev!
ReplyDeleteHa ha! True!
ReplyDeleteBut are they alive? I'm still confused.
ReplyDeleteNot by the full definition of life, generally described as a series of processes, like reproduction, respiration etc. Viruses do some of them, but not all of them. Living organisms are meant to do them all.
ReplyDeleteBut they're not dead. Its something in between?
ReplyDeleteYep, I suppose so. Almost like a chemical that can mimic some of the properties of life. Pandora should've kept that box closed!
ReplyDeleteYes. the Pandora Bug!
ReplyDelete