Dinosaurs Breathed Like Birds
A study of the vertebrae of Majungatholus atopus shows that their structure is very like those of modern birds. They have air sacs that may have been involved in their breathing. Birds have lungs that are attached to a complex network of air sacs throughout the body. Some birds have 9 air sacs, some of which flow through the bones (See PU #142 supplement on Wedel paper on sauropod pneumaticity). This reinforces the possibility that these dinosaurs had high metabolic rates. It adds one more argument for the bird-dino connection, along with high growth rates, bird-like sleeping postures and feathers (among many others). Some believe that this type of breathing system probably goes deeper into the earlier dinosaurs. This may also apply to other bird-like characteristics. (O’Connor & Claessens in Nature Vol. 436/July 13)
Tyrannosaurid Bonebed in Montana
Phil Currie et al report on a multi-individual bonebed uncovered in the Late Cretaceous Two Medicine Formation of Montana in Chapter 16 of “The Carnivorous Dinosaurs.” They have found parts of at least three theropods (3 different sizes) identified as Daspletosaurus (possibly D. torosus) along with bones from at least 5 hadrosaurs (2 juveniles, one sub-adult and 2 adults). There was partial articulation among some of the bones and because the bones of the theropod and hadrosaurs were intermingled it is believed that they died there together. The hadrosaurs are believed to be Lambeosaurines. They have some 1400 bones or fragments from the site. There are many shed tyrannosaurid teeth around the site and some bite marks on some of the hadrosaur bones with their bones being more widely scattered. Some larger bones were broken as if stepped upon. Some bones in a specific area were rounded and may have been stomach contents. The authors believe that this site represents evidence for gregarious behavior for these theropods.
Evolution at the Tulsa Zoo
When Christian creationists won a victory requiring the Tulsa Zoo to balance its evolution science exhibit with one telling the story of Genesis, then got more than they bargained for. The directors then determined that the Adam and Eve story should not be the only creation story, but that many others deserved equal time. The Tulsa American Indian tribes believe that the Cherokee buzzard carved out the valleys and mountains; and Chinese-Americans have their cosmic egg origin story; and on and on. They decided to show none of them. This exercise only served to strengthen that the scientific explanation of evolution is the only one firmly rooted in scientific demonstration. (Editorial in the New York Times July 10)
Evidence Against Wildfires at K/T
There have been many reports that the Chixculub crater formation 65 MYA gave off sufficient heat to cause huge global wildfires. This report seeks to determine the amount of a wildfire indicator -charcoal- that is in the K/T boundary layer. They tested 8 non-marine North American sites from Colorado to Saskatchewan using 3 different methods as well as looking for charred plant remains. All the sites tested did have an iridium anomaly, fern spike, shocked minerals and 2 boundary clay layers marking the K/T event. However, the charcoal results were unexpected. The K/T layers contained 4 to 8 times LESS charcoal than the Cretaceous rocks below or the Tertiary rocks above it. In addition there is a high percentage of non charred plants compared to charred plants that also refute the wildfire theory. They conclude that this impact event was not enough to cause extensive wildfires. (Belcher et al in J of Geol Soc Vol. 162/2005)
Abnormal Pollen Grains Before P/T
This study looks at gymnosperm pollen from two sites dated to the Late Permian, one in Russia and one in NW China. They were dated by the similar occurrence of marker fossils of plants found, and the sharing of 27 taxa. Normal pollen of the plant studied have 2 air sacs while abnormal forms can have one, 3, 4 or more air sacs. Because abnormal pollen occurs all the time, they determined that a benchmark of 3% abnormal spores could be considered as a background level of normal variation. Above that percentage would be considered as a response to external stress. Now pollen is used to monitor for air pollution so it is felt to be a good indicator. They found 4 to 10% abnormal spores at these sites, indicating that the atmosphere was deteriorating during this time of the Late Permian. This coincides with the period of extensive volcanic activity going on at this time. (Foster et al in J of Geol Soc Vol.162/2005)
New Ankylosaur from Hungary – Hungarosaurus
This is the best preserved and most complete ankylosaur from the Upper Cretaceous of Europe and consists of four specimens with about 600 bones found. It is named Hungarosaurus tormai for its location and a co-founder. It is considered a basal nodosaur and is more derived than Struthiosaurus and more primitive than Sauropelta. The holotype consists of some skull bones, 21 teeth, many vertebrae, parts of right front leg and pelvis, and 100 osteoderms. The armor is of 5 types and was found, on shoulder, back, tail and limb. It would have been about 4 m long (13 ft). (Osi in JVP Vol 25/2 June 2005)
Complete Apatemyid Mammal Found at Fossil Lake
Everyone has seen the many fish, turtles, crocodiles and plants that have been found in the Eocene rocks of Fossil Lake in Wyoming. This new mammal is named Apatemys chardini which was first named in 1030 known by one hand. The new fossil is nearly complete with a body 15 cm (6 in.)long and a tail 21 cm (8.5 in.) long. The fossil is in private hands, but two research casts have been made for study. It is very similar to an almost complete fossil found in Messel Germany of Heterohyrus which is a few million years younger. Similar teeth and elongation of some of the fingers show similar food gathering habits for both animals. They probably ate larvae dug out of holes in trees with the long fingers. (Koenigswald, Grande et al in Paleontographica Vol. 272, 2005)
Karen Nordquist, Paleontology Study Group
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